CARBONDALE, Ill. _ The Southern Illinois Salukis broke open a tie game in the eighth inning and went on to record an 11-6 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Saturday in Game 1 of their non-conference series at Itchy Jones Stadium.

The Salukis (4-1) scored six times in the bottom of the eighth inning on six hits to pull away from the Bears (1-3). UCA got one run back in the top of the ninth and had runners at first and second before a game-ending double play.

The Bears took a 2-1 lead in the third with an RBI single by Drew Sturgeon and sacrifice fly by third baseman A.J. Mendolia. UCA pushed the lead to 4-2 in the fourth on R.J. Pearson's RBI single and an error. Pearson, a senior shortstop from Tahlequah, Okla., finished the day 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

After SIU tied the game with two runs in the fourth and a single run in the fifth, UCA added a run in the top of the sixth on one hit by redshirt freshman Tanner Leonard and a pair of errors to go back in front 5-4, but SIU quickly tied it in the bottom of the inning.

Along with Pearson, Mendolia finished 3 for 4 with an RBI as UCA totaled 12 hits, one more than SIUl. Kolby Johnson and Leonard both had a pair of hits.

UCA starter Tyler Cleveland went 5.2 innings, striking out seven and allowing 5 hits and 4 runs. Reliever Jesse Barker took the loss, allowing 2 runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Game 2 is set for 2 p.m. Sunday. The series was originally supposed to be played at Bear Stadium but was moved to Carbondale due to wet field conditions.