CONWAY, Ark _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears put together a ninth-inning rally that fell just short Friday night in a 5-3 loss to Southeastern Louisiana at Bear Stadium.

The Lions (13-6, 4-2) took advantage of several defensive and baserunning miscues by the Bears (11-8, 4-3) in winning their sixth consecutive game. The Bears, who lost their third straight SLC game after a 4-0 start, did break a school record as junior catcher Eric Tennyson threw out four baserunners.

UCA also threw a runner out at home on a relay from left fielder Will Wagner to third baseman Jonathan Yerby to Tennyson.

The Lions took an early 3-0 lead off UCA ace Jeremy Cloud, taking advantage of a fielding error and stringing together three hits in the second inning. Cloud settled down after that, holding the Lions scoreless until the seventh, when they added two more.

UCA picked up its first run in the third on junior Tye Throneberry’s sacrifice fly that scored junior Bobby Pritchett. The Bears closed it to 3-2 in the fifth on sophomore Zack Dickson’s RBI single that brought in Wagner. Pritchett was thrown out at third on the same play, ending the inning.

Entering the ninth inning down 5-2, UCA threatened off reliever Ryan Collins. Pritchett tagged a solo home run over the scoreboard in left field, his first of the season. Throneberry then ran out a two-out single to second base and Dickson drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate.

However, SLU closer Chris Franklin moved over from third base to the mound and struck out Josh Huffman for his fifth save.

Cloud (3-1) threw his third consecutive complete game, allowing 4 earned runs and striking out 3. SLU starter Ryan Boudreaux (3-1) got the victory, allowing 6 hits and 1 earned run and striking out 4.

Throneberry went 2 for 3 to lead the Bears, while Franklin, Josh Cryer and Cody Gougler all had two hits for the Lions.

Game 2 of the series is set for 2 p.m. today.