CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears made it two straight over Bellarmine on Saturday, beating the Knights 5-3 to take the ASUN series at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (15-22, 6-11) scored three times early and two more times in the fourth, then held off the Knights (6-32, 5-12) for the series win.

UCA used three pitchers and all had quality outings. Starter Charlie Christensen went 5 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and three runs but picked up the victory to improve to 3-3. Mason Griffin pitched the middle three innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three.

Hunter Alexander came on in the ninth and got the final two outs for his second save in as many days, and his fourth of the season.

In the first inning, UCA got an RBI single by center fielder Drew Sturgeon to score A.J. Mendolia to open the scoring. Catcher Casey Shipley reached on an error that allowed Seldomridge to score. Third baseman Bryce Cermenelli then added a sacrifice fly to center to ake it 3-0.

Bellarmine answered with a pair of runs in the second but UCA matched that with a two-run fourth. Cermenelli led off with a double to right field and Mason King's base hit scored him. Later in the inning, Sturgeon drew a bases-loaded walk that gave the Bears a 5-2 lead.

Sturgeon finished 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored, while King was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Sturgeon has a combined five RBI in the series.

Bellarmine starter Cooper Hellman took the loss, allowing five runs in 3 1/3 innings.

The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.