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FLORENCE, Ala. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears return to ASUN Conference action on Friday night when they take on the North Alabama Lions on the road in Florence, Ala.
    
    The Bears (9-14) will take on the Lions (6-17) at 5 p.m. at Mike D. Lane Field. UCA stands 4-2 in ASUN play, taking two of three on the road at Bellarmine on opening week of league play, then winning two of three at home against Lipscomb last weekend at Bear Stadium.

    The teams will be meeting as ASUN foes for the first time, but for the 14th time overall, dating back to their NCAA Division II days in the Gulf South Conference. The last matchup took place in the 2006 GSC Tournament at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn., with the Lions winning 7-4 (May 7, 2006).

    UCA has a dominant pitching stretch last weekend against Lipscomb, sporting an 0.67 earned-run average in the three-game series. The Bears got two-hit, complete-game victories from both Tyler Cleveland on Friday and Jesse Barker on Saturday. Sunday starter Andrew Shoultz allowed just one earned run in five innings as Lipscomb managed just two earned runs in 27 innings against the UCA staff.

    The Lions, 1-5 in league play, are coming off a series in which they were swept last weekend at ASUN West leader Jacksonville State. The followed that up with a 20-3 run-rule loss at No. 10 Ole Miss on Tuesday night in Oxford, Miss.

    UCA dropped its mid-week game as well, losing 4-3 in 11 innings at in-state rival Arkansas State. The bright spot from that outing was sophomore right hander reliever Trent Gregson, who struck out a career-high 10 batters in just 4 2/3 innings of work. The Bears tied the game in the top of the ninth when pinch runner Trey Harris stole second and third and scored on Drew Pollum's squeeze bunt to send it to extra innings.

    UNA leads the overall series with UCA 11-2, with two of those coming at neutral sites in the GSC Tournament. UCA is 1-7 in games played in Florence. The series began in 1982 with both teams in the NAIA.

    The series can be heard live on The Bear 91.3 with Steve Owens. There will be no television or internet coverage.