CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears dominated their ASUN series opener with the Queens Royals on Friday night, cruising to a 15-2 run-rule victory in their first meeting at Bear Stadium.

UCA broke out of an offensive slump in a big way with 16 hits, including a five-for-five effort from designated hitter Evan Hafley. The graduate transfer also blasted his team-high seventh home run and finished with five runs batted in.

After the Royals (5-21, 1-6) tied the game at 2-2 in the second, the Bears (12-14, 4-3) sent 14 batters to the plate in the fourth inning and plated 10 runs on 10 hits to blow it open. UCA then added a three-run fifth inning to put the game away.

Meanwhile, junior right hander Jesse Barker was cruising on the mound. The Benton, Ark., native tied his career high with nine strikeouts and allowed just four hits and two runs in the complete-game victory that improved his record to 4-1. After the two runs came in for Queens in the second, both on solo home runs, Barker allowed just one more hit the remainder of the game.

Four Bears had two hits each, including Drew Sturgeon (2 for 3, 3 RBI, 2 runs), Tyler Monroe (3 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 runs), Noah Argenta (3 for 2, 2 runs) and Tanner Leonard (2 for 2, 3 RBI, 2 runs). Sturgeon had a triple while Argenta, Monroe and Hafley had doubles, with Hafley getting a pair.

All nine Bears in the starting lineup scored a run, with eight picking up a hit and six knocking in at least one run. Junior first baseman A.J. Mendolia extended his on-base streak to all 26 games with a walk in the 10-run fourth inning.

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