LAWTON, Okla. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball nearly rallied from a 6-0 deficit Friday night, but fell 8-7 at Cameron University in Lone Star Conference action.

UAFS (8-11, 7-9 LSC) trailed 8-4 going into the eighth inning before mounting a rally. With one out, four consecutive batters reached, scoring one run and loading the bases. First baseman Nolan Riley and leftfielder Logan Easley then drew bases loaded walks, pulling the Lions within 8-7.

However, the Lions left the bases loaded down by a run. UAFS left 11 runners on base for the game.

The Lions drew a two-out walk in the ninth, but were unable to drive in the tying run.

UAFS fell behind 6-0 through four innings, with starter Nico Sharp allowing six runs on 11 hits in four innings of work.

The Lions chipped away with two runs in the fifth and sixth, but the Aggies scored two runs of their own in the fifth.

Centerfielder Cash Balentine led the Lions at the plate by going 3-for-5, including a double and triple. He scored twice. Catcher Dylan Hurt tallied a pair of hits, while Riley had two RBIs and shortstop Brenden Williams added two runs scored.

Freshman reliever Braiden Partin retired all nine batters he faced, and Jakob Petross threw a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts as the Lions bullpen retired the final 12 batters of the game for the Aggies.

The series concludes with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.