CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears opened their ASUN series with the Austin Peay Governors with an important 4-2 victory on Friday afternoon at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (20-24) improved to 11-11 in conference play with their fourth straight ASUN win, this one behind another stellar outing from junior right hander Jesse Barker. The reigning and two-time ASUN Pitcher of the Week, struck out 10 Governors in 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits and walking his first batter since April 6.

The Bears got all the runs they would need in the first three innings against APSU starter Jacob Kush (5-3). Junior third baseman Mason King had a solo home run to left center, his fifth of the season, in the bottom of the first inning.

UCA added two more in the third on consecutive singles by Reid Bowman and Tanner Leonard, followed by a two-run base hit by A.J. Mendolia. 

The Governors' only runs came on solo home runs from John Bay in the fifth inning and from Jaden Brown in the seventh. Barker (7-2) struck out double-figure batters for the third consecutive game before exiting in the eighth inning. Junior Mason Griffin went the final 1 1/3 innings, striking out three and allowing just one hit.

Mendolia, a junior first baseman, went 2 for 4, while Bowman, a sophomore shortstop, was 2 for 2. APSU (22-24, 12-11), which lost its fourth consecutive league game, had seven hits from seven different players.

UCA senior right fielder Kolby Johnson, from Pearland, Texas, set the school record for games played with his 206th career game and his 187th start. The Bears inched closer to tying the school record for single-season home runs, with Mason's blast giving the Bears 50 on the year, one short of the record 51 set in both 2007 and 2009.

Game 2 of the series is set for 6 p.m. Saturday. Graduation ceremonies for 13 Bears will take place at 5:40 on the field with UCA President Dr. Houston Davis.