RICHMOND, Ky. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears won their fifth consecutive ASUN series on Friday with a 9-8 victory over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Earle Combs Stadium.

The Bears, who improved to 16-17 overall, solidified their hold on first place in the ASUN West Division with a 10-4 record. EKU fell to 21-13 and 8-6. Game 3 is set for 11 a.m. (CT) on Saturday.

The Bears had to come from behind twice to win their season-high fifth consecutive game, scoring three important runs late just as they did in Thursday's 13-9 victory. This time they plated three in the eighth inning on three hits and an EKU error after entering the inning trailing 7-6.

Junior first baseman Hunter Hicks had his third hit of the game and second RBI with a base hit that scored Kolby Johnson. Designated hitter Drew Pollum followed that with a RBI single to left to bring in Connor Emmet. Junior catcher Noah Argenta fouled out down the right-field line to score Pollum. Argenta finished the day with a team-best three RBI.

UCA sophomore Trent Gregson, who earned the save in Thursday's game, went the final three innings Friday to get the victory. He allowed a single run in the eighth that got the Colonels within one at 9-8, but then worked around a one-out single in the ninth and ended it with an infield popup.

UCA starter Jesse Barker threw six innings and recorded seven strikeouts. For the second straight day, EKU made generous use of its bullpen, using seven pitchers, none longer than two innings.

UCA scored twice in the first inning on Pollum's sacrifice fly and and RBI double by Hicks. The Bears fell behind 5-2 before putting up two runs in the sixth. Argenta had an RBI single and a fielder's choice closed the deficit to 5-4. UCA got two more in the seventh when Drew Sturgeon was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Argenta added a ground out RBI.

Hicks finished 3 for 6 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Pollum was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored as UCA totaled 14 hits.