CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears got the go-ahead run in the eighth inning Friday night to grab a 4-3 victory over the Central Connecticut Blue Devils in the series opener at Bear Stadium.

UCA (4-4) loaded the bases in the eighth with a Nathan Negre walk, a base hit by Bryce Cermenelli and an infield single to the pitcher by catcher Casey Shipley. Designated hitter Owen Tracy followed with a base hit to left field, scoring Negre to make it 4-3.

UCA junior closer Hunter Alexander, who had entered in the seventh, did the rest with a pair of strikeouts and a ground ball out in the ninth to end it. Alexander allowed just one hit over 2 2/3 innings for his first victory. UCA starter Charlie Christensen struck out seven and allowed one run in 6 innings of work.

The Bears to a 1-0 lead in the second when second baseman Keon Moseni's base hit to center field scored Jagger Schattle. Schattle had a base hit, advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a ground out.

CCSU, playing its season opener, tied it in the fourth with a solo home run by Aiden Redahan, but UCA put up two more in the bottom of the inning. Cermenelli doubled down the left-field line and the Bears loaded the bases with a Shipley walk and a Blue Devils error. Cermenelli came in on the error and Shipley scored on a balk.

CCSU tied it again in the seventh with another home run, setting up the Bears for the win in the eighth.

Cermenelli finished 2 for 4, while Tracy and Moseni had RBI.

Game 2 of the series is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, with the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday.