CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears made the most of three hits Wednesday, grabbing a 3-1 victory over the Little Rock Trojans in Round 1 of the "Governor's I-40 Showdown" at Bear Stadium.

The Bears got nice pitching performances from both starter Jesse Barker and reliever Andrew Shoultz to hold the high-scoring Trojans' offense to a single run in the seventh inning. UCA scored a single run in the bottom of the first without a hit, then added two more in the third with just one hit. The Bears were also issued five walks on the day.

In the first, Connor Flagg led off with a walk and went to third on a throwing error by Little Rock shortstop Eldridge Figueroa. He scored on a double play ground ball for an early 1-0 lead.

UCA made it 3-0 in the third with another Flagg walk to start it. He went to second on a balk, followed by a walk to Kolby Johnson. Connor Emmet reached on Figueroa's second error. A.J. Mendolia then drew a bases-loaded walk that made it 2-0. Trey Harris added an RBI single to right center that scored Johnson for the three-run lead.

Barker, in his first career start, made the lead stand through a career-high 6 2/3 innings of work. The sophomore right hander from Benton allowed just four hits and one run while striking out four and walking none. Shoultz, a junior right hander from Scurry, Texas, took over and went the final 2 1/3 innings, striking out three and allowing two hits and no runs.

Little Rock's lone score was an unearned run in the seventh after UCA's only error.

Mendolia, Harris and catcher Noah Argenta tallied UCA's three hits. Little Rock scattered six hits among six different players.

The Bears will return to the field at 1 p.m. Thursday against Creighton in a late addition to the week's schedule. The remainder of UCA's nine-game home stand is as follows:
Friday - vs. UT Martin - 12:00
Saturday - vs. Creighton - 3:00
Sunday - vs. UT Martin - 1:00
Tuesday - vs. Oral Roberts - 6:00