CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears rallied from an 8-7 deficit in the eighth inning Friday to down Southern Illinois 9-8 in their home opener at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (2-4), who finished with 11 hits, led 7-2 after five innings but saw the Salukis (4-1) put up two runs in three consecutive innings from the sixth through the eighth. But the Bears got the two runs they needed against SIU's fifth pitcher of the day Mike Hansell.

Jagger Schattle was hit by a pitch to start the inning, with Cooper White running for him. Drew Sturgeon had a base hit through the right side of the infield. Kade Seldomridge then laid down a perfect bunt that stopped just inside the third-base foul line for an infield single to load the bases.

Designated hitter Bryce Cermenelli drew a walk to score White and tie it at 8-8. Shortstop Reid Bowman then hit a liner to center field for a sacrifice fly that brought in the winning run. Graduate Mason Griffin, who pitched the final two innings, stranded two SIU baserunners in the top of the ninth to earn his second victory in two appearances.

The Bears scored first in the second inning on a Mason King double down the line. After SIU put up two in the third, UCA answered with four in the bottom of the frame. The Bears had four hits, including an RBI single by Schattle and a two-run single by Cermenelli. Sturgeon also scored from third on a failed stolen base attempt.

Schattle added another RBI in the fourth with a double down the left-field line that scored A.J. Mendolia. In the fifth, King's sacrifice fly brought home Preston Curtis.

Schattle, Cermenelli and Casey Shipley had two hits apiece for the Bears. Four UCA pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts, including four by starter Jesse Barker and three by Griffin.

The teams will play Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday.