FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball split with Lubbock Christian in its Lone Star Conference doubleheader at Crowder Field Friday, with each game being decided by the 10-run rule in seven innings.
UAFS (2-3, 1-1 LSC) won game one, 15-5, before the Chaparrals (2-3, 1-1 LSC) won game two, 12-0.
The two teams will complete the series Saturday at 11 a.m. With rain in the forecast, make sure to follow @UAFSSports on Twitter and visit uafortsmithlions.com for updates.
UAFS 15, LCU 5 (7)
The bats woke up for the Lions, as they scored in six of the seven frames. Ahead 9-5 in heading to the bottom of the seventh, the Lions scored six times for the walk-off win.
In the six-run seventh, the first four Lions reached base. With the bases loaded and a run in, junior designated hitter Logan Easley drove in the second run of the inning with a sac fly to right.
Sophomore outfielder Nick Anderson then drove in a run the easy way two batters later with an RBI walk, and the Lions tacked on another with an LCU error.
Needing two runs to win by the 10-run rule, junior second baseman Morgan Crenshaw singled to left with the bases loaded for the walk-off win.
After giving up two runs apiece in the first two frames, the Lions found themselves in a 4-1 hole.
UAFS scored a single tally in the third, before tallying three scores in the fourth to take a 5-4 lead. Junior shortstop singled in one run after a double by sophomore third baseman Brooks Sunny, and tied the game on a sac fly by Crenshaw. UAFS took the lead on an RBI single up the middle by senior catcher Dylan Hurt, scoring Anderson.
History repeated itself in the fifth and sixth innings, as the Lions scored once in the fifth and three times in the sixth. In the frame, Sunny drove in a run with a single and Williams with a walk.
Freshman reliever Nico Sharp improved to 2-0 by picking up the win in relief, tossing three innings and allowing just one run. He allowed three hits while striking out two.
Right-hander Logan Grant started on the mound for the Lions, pitching four innings, allowing four runs and striking out two. After allowing all four runs in the first two innings, he put up zeros in the third and fourth.
Crenshaw drove in three runs in the game, with Williams going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Sunny and junior first baseman Nolan Riley each scored three runs.
LCU 12, UAFS 0 (7)
The Lions were held to just two hits in the nightcap, as Chaps starter Ty Stephenson pitched a complete game shutout.
LCU scored five runs in the first, including a two-run homer to make it 2-0 before UAFS could record an out. After a scoreless second inning, LCU scored in each of the next four frames, scoring twice in the third and three times in the sixth.
Catcher Dylan Hurt and pinch hitter Baxter Mays collected the only two hits of the game for the Lions.