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CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears return home for six consecutive games, beginning with a weekend ASUN series against the Lipscomb Bisons.

The series begins at noon Friday at Bear Stadium, due to graduation ceremonies at the adjacent Farris Center. Saturday's Game 2 will start at 7 p.m., with Sunday's series finale set for 1 p.m.

The Bears have swept consecutive league series against Bellarmine and North Alabama to climb into seventh place in the standings at 10-11. UCA is one game behind Lipscomb (11-10), the preseason ASUN favorite.

UCA has won seven straight games, including an in-state victory over Arkansas State. The Bears did not have a mid-week game this week due to final exams. The Bisons (16-27) won a big one Tuesday, knocking off No. 3 Tennessee 9-6 in Knoxville, Tenn. Prior to that, Lipscomb won its fifth consecutive ASUN series by taking two of three from Florida Gulf Coast. 

The Bears hit seven home runs last weekend at North Alabama, including two each by third baseman Bryce Cermenelli and catcher Casey Shipley. UCA also had a pair of grand slams from Cermenelli on Friday and designated hitter Preston Curtis on Saturday.

For the weekend, UCA hit .308 and held UNA to a .159 batting average. The Bears' pitching staff finished with a 3.46 earned-run average compared to a 9.69 for the Lions. UCA sophomore right hander Hunter Alexander earned two more saves to give him five over the past two weekends and seven on the season.

Graduate starter Jesse Barker struck out nine in Friday's 9-4 victory. Sophomore Charlie Christensen was the winner, tying his career high with eight strikeouts while allowing just two hits. Sophomore Coleman MacRae picked up the final win in relief on Sunday, allowing one hit in 1 2/3 innings. 

Alexander, a sophomore from Bigelow, Ark., pitched a total of 5.2 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and striking out seven.

The Bears have three ASUN series remaining. They host second-place Austin Peay next weekend and then close the regular season in DeLand, Fla., facing Stetson, which is tied with APSU for second. 

This weekend, all three games will be carried live on The Bear 91.3, with Friday's and Sunday's games also on ESPN+. Graduate ceremonies will be held prior to Saturday night's game.