CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears got a walk-off home run from senior Kolby Johnson in the opening game of their series with Illinois State on Saturday before dropping the finale in extra innings at Bear Stadium.

Johnson, a senior right fielder from Pearland, Texas, gave the Bears a 4-3 victory in Game 1 of the doubleheader, taking the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the ninth over the right-field wall for a two-out game winner. After trailing for six innings, the Bears (4-6) tied the game in the seventh when junior shortstop Mason King hit his first home run as a Bear, a solo shot to left field.

Sophomore Tate Busey took over for freshman starter Lucas Greer in the sixth inning and held the Redbirds (5-5) scoreless the rest of the way. Greer, from Little Rock Catholic, struck out seven and allowed just one earned run in five innings in his first start. Busey allowed no hits and struck out two and walked three over the final four innings.

Johnson, A.J. Mendolia and Dylan Cyr had two hits each for the Bears, who out-hit the Redbirds 10-4. ISU starter Derek Salata, the Missouri Valley pitcher of the week last week, lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while striking out five. Closer Elijah Dale took the loss in the ninth inning. The Bears were successful on eight of eight stolen base attempts, tying the third highest single-game total in school history. Catcher Noah Argenta had three steals, while Mendolia and Tanner Leonard had two each.

In the nightcap, the teams matched each other for the first six innings and went to the ninth tied 6-6. UCA reliever Trent Gregson struck out three in the ninth but UCA failed to score as well with three fly ball outs.

ISU got a two-run home run from shortstop Greg Nichols before freshman Bryce Parlin came in for the first appearance of his career and got two strikeouts to end the threat. But the Bears went in order in the 10th against ISU reliever Cameron Mabee, who worked the final four innings, striking out five and allowing no hits and one unearned run.

UCA starter Jesse Barker went six innings, allowing four hits and four runs while striking out six. ISU starter Tyrelle Chadwick had similar numbers, going six innings, allowing six hits and four runs and striking out seven.

Johnson and Evan Hafley had two hits each, including Hafley's second home run of the season, a leadoff shot in the second inning. Mendolia had three runs batted in while Johnson scored three times.

The rubber game of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Bear Stadium.