FORT SMITH, Ark. – A key play in the top of the seventh inning turned the tide on University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball Saturday, leading to a 6-1 loss to Lubbock Christian in the rain at Crowder Field.

Leading 1-0 with one out in the top of the seventh, Lions (2-4, 1-2 LSC) junior center fielder Cash Balentine appeared to have thrown out the runner going from first to third on a single, but the runner was called safe on interference.

The Chaps (3-3, 2-1 LSC) would then tie the game on an error, and hit three more singles to score five unearned runs in the frame.

UAFS loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth in a pouring rain, but were unable to push across any runs.

The Lions had taken the lead in the bottom of the sixth, when senior catcher Dylan Hurt singled to third on a safety squeeze, scoring junior shortstop Brenden Williams. Williams reached on an infield single, collecting two hits of the Lions' four hits.

Freshman right-hander Trevor Johnson cruised through the first five innings, allowing just two hits while recording four strikeouts. However, he had to leave the game after one batter in the sixth due to injury.

The UAFS bullpen allowed six runs on six hits while only striking out two.

Next up is a trip to Angelo State February 12-13 for the Lions. The Rams were the preseason No. 1 team the NCBWA top-25.