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FORT MYERS, Fla. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears return to ASUN Conference play Friday when they take on the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles for the first time.

The Bears and Eagles will meet in a three-game series beginning at 2 p.m. (CST) Friday at Swanson Stadium. The game was moved up from a 5 p.m. start due to lighting issues at the stadium. Game 2 is set for 1 p.m. (CST) Saturday, followed by the series finale at noon (CST) Sunday.

The Bears have never played the Eagles, despite this being UCA's third season in the ASUN. FGCU, picked second in the preseason poll, is 12-14 overall but 5-4 in conference play, sitting in a three-way tie for fourth place in the standings.

UCA is 13-15 overall and 4-5 in ASUN play. The Bears have won two straight, including a 7-6 win over No. 23 Mississippi State on Tuesday in Starkville, Miss. The Bears also came from behind to beat league-leader Jacksonville last Saturday in the series finale at Bear Stadium.

The Eagles are led by senior outfielder Ian Farrow, who leads the ASUN with a .413 batting average, including nine home runs and nine doubles. FGCU is hitting .272 as a team, which ranks sixth. They will face a UCA pitching staff that is fourth in the league with a 5.88 earned-run average.

UCA has two players hitting above .300 in center fielder Drew Sturgeon (.343) and right fielder Kade Seldomridge (.340). Sturgeon has a team-high five home runs and team-high 35 hits.

The Bears' Friday starter, graduate Jesse Barker, leads the conference with 50 strikeouts and 45.0 innings pitched, is second in opposing batting average (.210) and sixth in ERA (3.60). The Bears have six pitchers with at least 25 strikeouts on the season.

FGCU sports a 6.57 team ERA, with only one pitcher below 4.00. The Eagles have used 17 pitchers, with six different starters.

The Eagles have victories over Miami and South Florida this season. They are 8-5 at home at Swanson Stadium.

The game will be carried live on The Bear 91.3 and ESPN+.