FORT SMITH, Ark. – Freshman lefty Nico Sharp earned his fourth win of the season Saturday, as University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball defeated St. Edward's, 4-2, at Crowder Field to win the series.

Sharp tossed six innings, allowing six hits while striking out five. Only one of the two runs scored upon him were earned.

The Lions (5-7, 4-5 LSC) took the lead in the third inning, first tying the game on an RBI double by sophomore centerfielder Cash Balentine. Balentine then scored on an RBI single by sophomore third baseman Brooks Sunny for a 2-1 lead.

UAFS extended the lead the very next inning, scoring two more runs. Senior catcher Dylan Hurt tripled down the left field line when the ball got by a diving leftfielder, allowing two runs to score. A third run nearly scored, but was thrown out at the plate.

That was all the offense that Sharp and the Lion bullpen would need, as they threw up three zeroes to end the game.

Freshman right-hander Jakob Petross relieved Sharp to start the seventh after the Hilltoppers tallied a run in the sixth to pull within 4-2. Petross breezed through the seventh and eighth innings and recorded the first two outs of the ninth before issuing a pair of walks.

Righty Coby Greiner relieved Petross and retired the only batter he faced to get the save.

The Lions turned in some web gems in the seventh, with junior leftfielder Logan Easley making a running grab along the foul line and junior second baseman making a diving stop to end the inning. Earlier, the Lions twice turned a ground ball to the pitcher into an out on the base paths at second.

Balentine and Easley each recorded two hits for the Lions, who had three of their eight hits go for extra bases.

UAFS will next visit No. 17 West Texas A&M for a three-game set March 12-13.