CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears spotted Eastern Michigan too big a lead on Saturday and dropped the opening game of their non-conference series 9-5 at Bear Stadium.

The Eagles (1-3) jumped out to a 9-2 lead after five innings before the Bears (1-3) chipped away with four runs over the final four innings, including two in the ninth. UCA took advantage of four walks in the final frame, two with the bases loaded, to score twice, with Tanner Leonard and Nathan Negre recording the runs batted in.

But the rally ended with a ground out with the bases loaded. For the game, UCA left 16 runners on base compared to seven for EMU.

The Bears got their first run of the game in the third inning with an RBI groundout by third baseman Bryce Cermenell that scored Zeb Allen. The second run, which came in the sixth, was courtesy of a solo home run by redshirt freshman center fielder Sam Reynolds, his second of the season.

In the eighth, Cermenelli singled down the left-field line to bring in Allen again. Cermenelli, a junior from Norco, Calif., finished with 2 hits and 2 RBI, while freshman second baseman Nathan Negre had 2 hits and 1 RBI. 

UCA starter Charlie Christensen struck out seven over 4.0 innings, but allowed 7 hits and 7 runs. Gavin Alveti allowed a run in 1.0 innings before Jake Jones tossed a scoreless sixth inning. Freshman Aden Velasquez pitched the final three innings, striking out 2 and allowing 3 hits and no runs.

EMU had 13 hits, led by right fielder Logan Hugo with four hits and 4 RBI, and left fielder Giano Zuccaro with three hits. The Eagles' starter Drew Beckner struck out 8 and allowed just one run in 5.0 innings.

Game 2 of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.