UA Fort Smith Athletics

After a tough weekend Heartland Conference series, the UAFS baseball team will take a brief break from league play on Tuesday when the Lions play the Northeastern State RiverHawks.

First pitch will be 2 p.m. at Thomas C. Rousey Field in Tahlequah, Okla. Live statistics will be available.

It will be the second game in the three-game, nonconference series between UAFS and Northeastern State. Northeastern State beat UAFS 10-1 at Crowder Field in the series opener on March 26, and UAFS will host Northeastern State again at Crowder Field at 3 p.m. on April 30.

The Lions' loss to the RiverHawks last week triggered an uncharacteristic four-game losing streak. UAFS began conference play this past weekend by losing its home series against Lubbock Christian 3-0.

UAFS (13-10) is batting 0.262 as a team with 180 hits, including 33 doubles, two triples and 15 home runs. First baseman Kyle Love leads the team in batting average (0.365), hits (27), home runs (four) and RBIs (20). Left fielder Tremarcus Koontz and right fielder Logan Allen, who continues to be out of the lineup because of injury, are tied for the team lead in doubles (five).

Catcher Dylan Hurt leads the team in stolen bases (six).

The Lions' pitching staff has compiled a 4.23 ERA with 137 strikeouts and 68 walks over 185 innings. Right-hander Javon Rigsby leads the staff in ERA (2.14), complete games (four), shutouts (one), innings (46 1/3) and strikeouts (42) and is tied with right-hander Ryan Horn and right-hander Christian Goshen for the staff lead in wins (two).

Right-hander Cooper Van Kooten leads the staff in saves (three).

Since beating UAFS last week, Northeastern State has won four games in a row. The RiverHawks (7-21) swept Fort Hays state in a three-game series this past weekend at Rousey Field.

he RiverHawks are batting 0.266 as a team with 242 hits, including 35 doubles, four triples and 21 home runs.  Colton Burgess leads the team in batting average (0.351), home runs (six) and RBIs (24). Blake Freeman leads the team in hits (36), doubles (six) and stolen bases (seven). Alex Massie leads the team in triples (three).

Northeastern State's pitching staff has compiled a 7.61 ERA with 209 strikeouts and 144 walks over 228 1/3 innings. Jonathan Smithey leads all starters in ERA (3.89) and innings (37). Dustin Berrong leads the staff in strikeouts (49), and Trevor Nance and Trevor Smith are tied for the staff lead in saves (one).

Seven pitchers are tied for the staff lead in wins (one).