CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears dropped both ends of a Friday doubleheader at Bear Stadium, losing 6-1 and 6-5 in 10 innings to the McNeese Cowboys.

The Bears (22-28, 17-22) were needing victories in their final regular-season series to earn a berth in next week's Southland Conference Tournament. After a rousing 8-1 victory on Thursday, the Bears fell flat Friday, totaling just five hits in the opener and stranding the potential tying run at third base in the 10th inning of the nightcap. 

McNeese (28-27, 21-17) got a complete game from starter Will Dion in Game 1, as the sophomore left hander struck out nine and allowed just one run in the seven-inning victory. UCA's lone run came in the first inning when senior first baseman Coby Potvin tripled to the gap in left center and scored on A.J. Mendolia's ground out. The Bears managed just four more hits off Dion, who improved to 8-4 on the season.

In the second game, UCA fell behind 4-1 after six innings but rallied with a four-run seventh after McNeese went to its bullpen. R.J. Pearson singled up the middle to start it and Connor Flagg walked. After Isaac Duplechain recorded the first out on a fly ball, Potvin drew another walk to load the bases, setting up Mendolia's bases-clearing triple to the right-field corner that tied it at 4-4. Rylan Meek followed with a sacrifice fly to score Mendolia and give UCA a 5-4 lead.

The Cowboys got an unearned run in the eighth after a UCA throwing error to tie it back up and send it to extra innings. It stayed that way until McNeese's Cooper Hext hit a solo home run to right in the 10th. In the bottom of the frame, Meek had a base hit to left field and pinch runner Kinner Brasher advanced to second on a wild pitch. A ground out moved him to third before McNeese closer Cameron Foster got another ground out to end it and earn his first win.

Meek and Benny Ayala had two hits each, while Mendolia had a game-high three runs batted in. 

The regular-season finale at 1 p.m. Saturday will be preceded by Senior Day activities for eight UCA seniors playing the final home game of their career.