CONWAY, Ark. _ Connor Flagg's first career home run came at the best possible time for the University of Central Arkansas on Saturday afternoon, a walk-off solo shot in the ninth that carried the Bears to a 7-6 win over the North Alabama Lions in ASUN Conference play.

The third walk-off win of the season gives the Bears the series win in their conference-opening weekend. UCA improved to 10-8 overall and 2-0 in league play. UNA (5-12, 0-2) dropped its fifth consecutive game.

The Bears have now homered in six consecutive games, with their lone shot of the day resulting in the victory.

The Bears, who have won five of their last six games, trailed for seven innings against UNA starter Jacob James, but finally struck big in the eighth inning. UCA sent 12 batters to the plate and scored six times in the frame. Flagg, Kade Seldomridge, Mason King, Reid Bowman and Trey Harris knocked in runs in the eighth that put the Bears up 6-3.

The Lions managed to tie the game in the top of the ninth, scoring three runs on three hits and three walks. Flagg, a junior catcher from Greenbrier who entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, hit the first pitch he saw over the right-field fence for the win. Flagg's sacrifice fly in the eighth gave UCA its first run and set off the six-run explosion.

King, a junior third baseman, finished 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and was the only Bear with multiple hits. Seldomridge, a freshman center fielder, went 1 for 1 with an RBI and a run scored. The Bears drew eight walks, a day after getting 12 walks from the Lions' pitching staff.

Junior left hander Brady Walker picked up the victory, tossing the final 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit, striking out 1 and walking 1. Starter Tate Busey allowed three runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. Oliver Laufman went 2 1/3 innings, striking out three and allowing just one hit.

UNA's James struck out 12 and walked 6, allowing just one earned run.

Game 3 of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Bear Stadium.