UA Fort Smith Athletics

UAFS had been in dire need of one big offensive inning during its three-game Heartland Conference baseball series against the St. Edward's Hilltoppers.

The Lions finally got it.

UAFS sent 14 batters to the plate during a 10-run, fifth-inning barrage on Friday afternoon as the Lions rallied to beat the Hilltoppers 10-6 at Lucien Hamilton Field in Austin, Texas.

The Lions (17-14, 4-5) won the series 2-1, winning the opening game of the series 2-1 before losing the second game 6-4 on Friday. It was the Lions' second-consecutive conference series win in three opportunities, and it was the second series loss in three opportunities for the Hilltoppers (16-19, 4-5).

UAFS trailed 3-0 before breaking the game open for good in the top of the fifth inning. The Lions blasted three Hilltoppers pitchers for a combined nine hits, including six two-out hits, but only two extra-base hits.

Shortstop Brandan Warner had two hits -- two singles and an RBI – in the inning, first baseman Kyle Love had two hits – two singles and two RBIs – in the inning and designated hitter Trent Powell delivered the biggest blows with two game-changing hits – a grand slam and a RBI single.

Right fielder Logan Allen was hit by a pitch and had a RBI single, and second baseman Logan Easley had a RBI double.

Hilltoppers starter Nathan Medrano worked 4 2/3 innings before being chased during the Lions' rally. He was the first of four Hilltoppers pitchers to take the mound in the tide-turning frame with Koehler Vandament finally getting the final out of the frame.

Medrano (1-4) suffered the loss, allowing six runs – all earned – on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.

The Lions collected a combined 14 hits off four of the five Hilltoppers pitchers, including three for extra bases. Powell was 2 for 4 with a grand slam and five RBIs, Love was 3 for 5 with two RBIs, Warner was 3 for 4 with one RBI, Easley was 1 for 5 with a double and one RBI, center fielder Travis Young was 2 for 4 and third baseman Brooks Sunny was 2 for 5.

St. Edward's had a combined 10 hits, including three for extra bases, off of four UAFS pitchers. Shortstop Morgan Allen was 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBIs, third baseman Ty Markee was 1 for 4 with a double and two RBI, designated hitter Blake Holub was 2 for 4 with one RBI, catcher Robbie Lammons was 1 for 5 with one RBI and right fielder Dylan Mackin was 1 for 5 with double.

Lions reliever Cooper Van Kooten (2-2), who was the third of the four UAFS pitchers, earned the win, allowing three runs – all earned – on six hits with one strikeout over 3 2/3 innings. UAFS reliever Foster Pace earned his first save, allowing no runs on one hit with one walk and four strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings of long relief.
 
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE
UAFS 10, ST. EDWARD'S 6
UAFS              000      0(10)0  000      --          10        14        1
St. Edward's   120      030      000      --          6          10        1
McGlynn, Highfill (1), Van Kooten (2), Pace (5) and Hurt; Medrano, Moralez (5), Bailey (5), Vandament (5), Flores (9) and Lammons. W – Van Kooten, 2-2. L – Medrano, 1-4. Sv – Pace (1). HRs – UAFS, Powell (2).