NASHVILLE, Tenn. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears beat the Lipscomb Bisons 5-2 in their ASUN series opener on Friday at Dugan Field and, in the process, moved into sole possession of first place in the West Division.

The Bears (19-21, 13-6) got some help from Bellarmine, which knocked off Eastern Kentucky, the team that UCA was tied for first with entering the weekend. Second-place Lipscomb fell to 24-18 and 11-8.

The Bears had to rally from a early 2-0 deficit as the Bisons scored single runs in the first and second innings, with four hits and a UCA error. But the Bears quickly tied it in the third with a pair of runs off Lipscomb starter Michael Dunkelberger. Tanner Leonard and R.J. Pearson had consecutive two-out singles, followed by a squeeze bunt by Kolby Johnson for the first run.

Connor Emmet then added an RBI base hit to right field that brought in Pearson.

UCA produced another run in the sixth inning on A.J. Mendolia's RBI double that scored Drew Pollum, then picked up two more in the seventh with just one hit against a trio of Lipscomb pitchers. UCA loaded the bases and then got back-to-back walks from Pollum and Mendolia to push the lead to 5-2.

UCA starter Tyler Cleveland overcame a slow start and went six innings for his fifth victory, allowing eight hits but just one earned run while striking out six. Sophomore Trent Gregson came on in the seventh and earned his third save, striking out four and allowing just one hit over the final three innings.

Both teams finished with nine hits, with Mendolia and redshirt freshman second baseman Tanner Leonard picking up two each. 

Game 2 of the series is set for 4 p.m. Saturday.