CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears used solid pitching and timely hitting to open the 2022 season with a 7-4 victory over Missouri State on Friday afternoon at Bear Stadium.

They also gave head coach Nick Harlan his first career victory as head of the program, after spending the previous nine years as pitching coach and associate head coach at UCA.

UCA (1-0) made the most of its seven hits, including a second-inning solo home run to right field by senior first baseman Connor Emmet _ the 10th of his career _ that gave the Bears an early 1-0 lead. UCA would have to rally from behind twice, down 2-1 in the fourth inning, and again at 4-3 through six innings.

The Bears took advantage of MSU's bullpen to score three runs in the seventh inning and take the lead for good. Junior right fielder Kolby Johnson was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and moved to second on Drew Sturgeon's sacrifice bunt ,and to third on Trey Harris' ground out.

Sophomore designated hitter Connor Flagg then beat out an infield single to shortstop, tying the game at 4-4. Emmet drew a walk and all runners advanced on a passed ball to make it 5-4. A.J. Mendolia followed with another walk to re-load the bases before another passed ball scored Flagg. MSU reliever Forrest Barnes hit Hunter HIcks and Noah Argenta with pitches in back-to-back at-bats before Ty Blecha came on and got out of the inning.

The Bears padded their lead in the eighth when Sturgeon tripled to right center and scored on a perfectly executed safety squeeze bunt by Flagg.

UCA sophomore righthander Trent Gregson was dominant over the final three innings, striking out six of the 11 batters he faced in three scoreless innings. In the eighth, he allowed a leadoff single and then struck out the side. In the ninth, he struck out the leadoff batter, then induced an infield pop-up and a line drive to right field to seal it.

UCA starter Tyler Cleveland went 3 2/3 innings in just his second career start, striking out five and allowing two runs. Sophomore Jesse Barker pitched the middle 2 1/3 innings, striking out two and allowing two runs. The trio combined for 13 strikeouts and just three walks.

Emmet, from Colleyville, Texas, went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored, while Flagg and Argenta had two runs batted in each. MSU finished with 12 hits but turned that into just four runs. Shortstop Will Duff was 3 for 4.

The series continues at noon Saturday, with the finale set for 1 p.m. Sunday.