NASHVILLE, Tenn. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears got a ninth-inning home run Thursday night but it was not enough as the Lipscomb Bisons took Game 1 of the ASUN series 7-3 at Dugan Field.

UCA, which entered the game tied with Lipscomb for second place in the ASUN Gold Division, trailed 7-0 heading into the ninth inning. Senior designated hitter Preston Curtis collected his third home run of the season _ and sixth of his career _  a three-run shot to left center that scored Bryce Cermenelli and pinch runner Noah Goodshield to cut the deficit to 7-3.

However, Lipscomb reliever Joey Mitchell came on and got the final two outs to even the season series with the Bears at 2-2. The Bisons finished with 10 hits and took advantage of three UCA errors.

Lipscomb scored in five of the first six innings, getting six runs off UCA starter Hunter Alexander, who beat the Bisons in the  first series this season.

Curtis and Cermenelli both had two of UCA's six hits. The Bears left the bases loaded in the fifth inning but only left six runners on base for the game. Austin Jones allowed 1 run in 2.0 innings of relief and Gavin Alveti tossed 2.0 scoreless innings without allowing a hit.

Game 2 of the series is set for 6 p.m. Friday, with the finale at 1 p.m. Saturday.