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NASHVILLE, Tenn. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears will attempt to win their fourth consecutive ASUN series this week when they take on the Lipscomb Bisons at Dugan Field.

The Bears (14-21) and Bisons (15-20) are both part of a three-way tie for second with North Alabama in the ASUN Gold Division standings with 8-7 records, making this series an important one for both teams.

UCA won two of three games in the first series two weeks ago in a wild offensive weekend played at two different sites. The Bears won the opener 11-1 in seven innings at Benton (Ark.) High School's Everett Field due to wet field conditions at UCA's Bear Stadium. The teams returned to Conway for a Monday doubleheader, with Lipscomb returning the run-rule favor in a 17-4 win.

The Bears then closed out the series win with a 14-11 victory in the second game of the doubleheader. Both teams had a batting average over .350 and earned run averages of more than 8.00 for the weekend. UCA had four home runs _ three by left fielder Zeb Allen in one game _ and Lipscomb hit three. UCA second baseman Bryce Cermenelli hit .583 for the series (7 of 12).

UCA, which opened league play 1-5, is now 7-2 over its last nine ASUN games. The Bears won twice last weekend at Bellarmine and dropped a 1-0 decision in 11 innings in middle game of the series with the Knights. 

LIpscomb went 2-1 against Eastern Kentucky last weekend, dropping the opener 4-3 and winning the final two games 65 and 9-4. The Bisons then lost to No. 19 Vanderbilt 5-4 in 10 innings on Tuesday.

The series is moved up a day due to Easter. Game times are 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Bears, who lead the overall series 8-7, will be playing at Lipscomb for just the second time. The Bisons took two of three from the Bears in 2022 at Dugan Field.