CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas _  The University of Central Arkansas Bears dropped their fifth consecutive one-run or extra-inning game to the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders on Saturday, falling 2-1 in Southland Conference action at Chapman Field.

The Bears (10-18, 6-12) allowed a pair of runs in the third inning _ only one earned _ and could never overcome that deficit after losing in 12 innings in the series opener on Friday night. UCA senior right hander Mark Moyer had a stellar performance in his 39th career start, shutting out the Islanders after that. Moyer struck out nine, including two in the bottom of the eighth inning, and allowed just six hits. The strikeouts were one short of tying his career high in his 66th career appearance.

The Bears cut their deficit in half in the seventh inning when senior designated hitter Beau Orlando opened the inning with a base hit to right field. After Hunter Hicks drew a walk, both runners advanced on a wild pitch before Orlando scored on Benny Ayala's sacrifice fly to center field.

After Moyer struck out two more in the bottom of the eighth, the Bears would threaten again in the top of the ninth. Hicks drew a two-out walk against A&M-CC reliever Henry Bird. But the junior right hander finished it off with his third strikeout of the inning as the Islanders held on to win their fifth SLC game in the past six.

UCA managed just four hits off Bird and starter Hayden Thomas, who went seven innings and struck out five. UCA's hits came from Kolby Johnson, Orlando, Taylor Daniell and pinch-hitter Connor Flagg. Moyer (2-4)  allowed just two hits after the third inning and did not walk a batter. 

The Bears and Islanders will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m.