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CONWAY, Ark. _  The University of Central Arkansas Bears will hope to continue their momentum earned last weekend when they host the Northwestern State Demons in a four-game Southland Conference series this weekend at Bear Stadium.

The Bears and Demons will open their series with a Friday doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. in anticipation of possible rain on Sunday. Game 2 of the series will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.

UCA (14-21, 9-15) are coming off a series victory over Stephen F. Austin last weekend, also at Bear Stadium. The Bears took three of four from the Lumberjacks, including a 10-9 win in 10 innings on Friday and a 9-0 shutout in the series finale on Sunday. UCA hit .331 last weekend, with six players hitting above .300. Sophomore left fielder Kolby Johnson led the way, hitting .500, followed by junior designated hitter Taylor Daniell at .471 and freshman third baseman A.J. Mendolia at .438.

Freshman right hander Tyler Cleveland picked up two of the three victories, in relief on Friday and in his first career start and complete game in Sunday's finale. Cleveland, the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week, struck out 18 batters in 12 innings of work last week, including 12 against just one walk and three hits in his 9-0 victory.

The Bears and Demons will be meeting for the first time since an opening round game in the 2019 Southland Conference Tournament in Sugar Land, Texas. UCA beat NSU 2-0 in that game played at Constellation Field en route to making the championship game.

The last regular-season series between the clubs was in 2018 when the Bears won two of three at Bear Stadium. UCA hit .327 in that series and held NSU to just a .245 average. The Bears had a 2.33 earned-run average compared to 5.04 for the Demons. The Bears hit three home runs (Tyler Smith, Josh Somdecerff, William Hancock) and added five doubles. NSU had just three extra-base hits in the entire series.

The Demons lead the overall series 21-17 but the Bears have an 8-7 advantage in games played in Conway.

NSU (21-17, 15-9) swept the Nicholls Colonels last weekend at home in Natchitoches, La., winning a pair of doubleheaders at Brown-Stroud Field. The Demons are just 8-8 on the road this season.