RICHMOND, Ky. _ The Eastern Kentucky Colonels hit a first-inning grand slam Friday and rode that momentum to an 8-3 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears in their ASUN series opener at Earle Combs Stadium.

The Colonels (9-27, 6-16) answered UCA's first-inning run with Mauri Bejarano's grand slam. EKU scored five times in the inning, then added two more in the third to take an early 7-1 lead in a game that was delayed twice by lightning and rain. The game started at noon (CST) and eventually finished at 8:30 p.m.

The Bears (17-26, 10-12) scored first when junior designated hitter Keon Moseni led off the game with a home run to right field, his second of the season.

UCA added another run in the fourth on shortstop Nate Negre's RBI single that scored senior second baseman Tanner Leonard, who finished 3 for 4 on the night. The Bears' third run came on Negre's sacrifice fly that scored freshman catcher Carter Alexander in the sixth inning.

UCA left 14 runners on base and committed two errors. Both teams finished with eight hits. The Bears used five pitchers, with starter Hunter Alexander taking the loss. Jackson Schwank struck out a pair and allowed no hits in the final 1.2 innings.

Game 2 is set for noon (CST) on Saturday.