CONWAY, Ark. _ Three errors aided the Southeast Missouri Redhawks in an 11-3 season-opening victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Friday at Bear Stadium.

The Bears commited the only three errors of the game, leading to six unearned runs for the Redhawks. SEMO also had 13 hits off a combination of five UCA pitchers.

The Bears got their runs in the fourth and seventh innings. In the fourth, junior center fielder Drew Sturgeon led off the inning by blasting the first pitch from SEMO starter Noah Niznik over the right-center wall to draw the Bears within 6-1. Junior transfer shortstop Mason King followed with a double on a fly ball that fell just behind second base between three Redhawk players.

Following a strikeout, senior right fielder Kolby Johnson stung a double down the left-field line, scoring King.

The Bears got one more in the seventh on another home run, this one a towering solo shot by senior left fielder Dylan Cyr that easily cleared the right-center wall.

The Redhawks, who won 37 games a year ago and played in the Louisville Regional of the NCAA Tournament, scored four runs in the fourth inning and put the game away with a five-run sixth. UCA starter Trent Gregson took the loss, allowing three earned runs while striking out four and walking three in 3 2/3 innings. 

Junior right hander Spencer Nelson was effective out of the UCA bullpen, working 2 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out four.

The Bears and Redhawks continue their non-conference series at 4 p.m. Saturday, with the series finale set for 1 p.m. Sunday.