CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears turned in another late-inning rally to knock off the Southern Illinois Salukis 9-8 for the second straight day and win the non-conference series at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (3-4), scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to break a 6-6 tie, then held on as the Salukis (4-2) scored twice in the top of the ninth to get within one. UCA reliever Bryce Parlin, the Bears' fourth pitcher of the day, got pinch-hitter Jackson McCoy on strikes to end it.

UCA reliever Charlie Christensen (1-0) went four innings of relief for the victory, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out four. Parlin got the final two outs for his first save. 

Both teams scored twice in the third inning, UCA's coming on a two-run single by junior center fielder Drew Sturgeon that brought in A.J. Mendolia and Tanner Leonard. Both squads matched each other again in the fifth with four runs to make it 6-6. Sturgeon had a sacrifice fly and Bryce Cermenelli was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Third baseman Mason King followed with a two-run single to left center, scoring Preston Curtis and Jagger Schattle.

In the seventh, UCA got two hits and SIU added an error as the Bears took the lead for good. King had another two-run single and Leonard's ground out scored the third run.

King, a senior from Hughson, Calif., finished 2 for 4 with 4 runs batted in, while Sturgeon was 1 for 2 with 3 RBI. Mendolia and catcher Casey Shipley had doubles for the Bears.

The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Bear Stadium.