First baseman
Kyle Love and second baseman
Logan Easley had three hits apiece to spark UAFS' 10-hit performance against Oklahoma Christian on Friday afternoon as the Lions beat the Eagles 7-4 in the final game of the three-game Heartland Conference Series at Dobson Field.
UAFS (21-16, 8-7) won the three-game series 2-1 – its fourth series win in a row – and won its second game in a row. The Lions lost the opening game of the series 1-0 on Thursday night but rallied to win the late game 8-3 to setup Friday's winner-take-all finale.
It was the first of three final conference series for UAFS. The Lions will host Texas A&M International on Friday and Saturday at Crowder Field and finish the regular season against Newman at McCarthy Field in Wichita, Kan., on May 3-4.
Love was 3 for 5 with a double, while Easley was 3 for 3 with two doubles to lead the Lions. Right fielder
Logan Allen was 1 for 5 with a double and one RBI, designated hitter
Trent Powell was 1 for 3 with one RBI and third baseman Brook Sunny was 1 for 4 with one RBI, as was shortstop
Brandan Warner.
Eagles starter Zachary Pape (5-3), who was the first of three Eagles pitchers, suffered the loss, allowing five runs – all earned – on nine hits with three strikeouts over four innings.
UAFS starter
Cooper Van Kooten, who was making only his third start in 16 appearances, delivered his second consecutive successful start, allowing four runs – all earned – on nine hits with one walk and six strikeouts over seven innings. Reliever
Foster Pace, who was the third Lions pitcher, earned his second save in as many games and his third overall, allowing no run on one hit with two strikeouts over one inning.
Oklahoma Christian (27-14, 9-6) had 11 hits. Left fielder Austin Stokes was 3 for 5 with a double and one RBI, centerfielder Hunter Markwardt was 3 for 5 with a triple, designated hitter Errett Edwards was 2 for 2 with one RBI, third baseman Berry Hunt was 2 for 4 and second baseman Kevin Collyar was 1 for 4 with one RBI.
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE
UAFS 7, OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN 4
UAFS 041 000 101 -- 7 10 0
Oklahoma Christian 000 002 020 -- 4 11 4
Van Kooten, Highfill (8), Pace (9) and Hurt; Pape, Tomcheck (5), Price (9) and Bavester. W – Van Kooten, 3-2. L – Pape, 5-3. Sv – Pace (3). HRs -- None
