CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears rallied from a 7-1 deficit with three home runs over the final three innings but still came up short in an 8-5 loss to the Austin Peay Governors on Friday night in ASUN action at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (6-13, 1-3) scored first in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Nathan Negree that brought home Zeb Allen. The Governors (16-7, 3-1) scored the next seven runs to back the pitching of starter Cody Airington, who went 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and striking out eight.

The Bears finally got to him in the seventh inning when Preston Curtis led off with a  single to left center and Sam Reynolds followed with his team-leading sixth home run, a two-run shot to left center. Four pitches later first baseman Jagger Schattle hit his first of the season, a solo home run to right field to close the gap to 7-4.

After Austin Peay padded its lead in the top of the ninth with a single run, UCA got its third homer of the night from sophomore center fielder Zeb Allen to make it a three-run margin. APSU closer Kaleb Applebey pitched the final 2.1 innings and got a strikeout to end the game.

Reynolds finished 3 for 4 with 2 RBI while Allen was 2 for 3 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. UCA closer Hunter Alexander made his first start of the season and went 6.0 innings, allowing four runs and striking out six. Jackson Schwank and Perry Titlow combined to hold the Governors to one run over the final three innings.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 4 p.m.