CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears surrendered a pair of solo home runs in the top of the ninth inning Friday night before losing 4-3 to the Stetson Hatters in 10 innings in ASUN action at Bear Stadium.

The Hatters (22-17, 9-7), in their first meeting with the Bears, got a one-out home run from catcher Christian Pregent and a two-out, pinch-hit homer from Daniel Labrador to tie the game at 3-3. UCA (16-21, 7-10) got a baserunner in the bottom of the ninth on Noah Argenta's infield single but he was stranded.

In the top of the 10th, Mason Griffin relieved UCA starter Jesse Barker, who struck out a career-high 11 batters in nine innings of work. Lorenzo Meola led off with a double for the Hatters. After Griffin struck out a pair, Meola advanced to third on a wild pitch and came across on a second one.

The Bears could not answer in the bottom of the inning against Stetson's Jonathan Gonzalez, who pitched the final four innings and struck out eight, including two in the 10th for his fifth victory. Griffin (2-3) took the loss.

Barker, a junior from Benton, Ark., the reigning ASUN Pitcher of the Week, went nine innings for the second straight weekend, allowing nine hits and walking none. 

UCA senior right fielder Kolby Johnson hit his team-high ninth home run of the season to lead off the fourth inning and give the Bears a 2-1 lead. UCA made it 3-1 in the sixth on Kade Seldomridge's double down the left-field line and a failed pickoff attempt at second that allowed Seldomridge to take two bases.

UCA's first run came in the third on Seldomridge's RBI single that brought in Tanner Leonard.

Seldomridge, a freshman from Rogers, Ark., went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Shortstop Reid Bowman was 2 for 4.

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