FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball defeated UT Permian Basin 9-1 Thursday afternoon at Crowder Field to open a three-game series.

Freshman Nico Sharp was effective over five innings on the mound, limiting the Falcons (9-12, 6-10 LSC to just one run on five hits. He struck out four to improve to 5-1 on the season.

The Lions (11-11, 10-9 LSC) struck early offensively, scoring three runs in both the second and third innings.

UAFS took advantage of five UTPB errors on the afternoon, with the first run being unearned after leftfielder Logan Easley reached on an error and scoring on a single by catcher Dylan Hurt. Two more runs cored when shortstop Brenden Williams drove in a run with a sac fly, and a throwing error on the play allowed designated hitter Trevor Brown to score from second.

In the third, Easley drove in a run with an RBI triple, and scored on an RBI single by third baseman Brooks Sunny. A second run scored when the leftfielder mishandled Sunny's hit.

UTPB got a run back in the fifth, but UAFS got it right back on another Falcon error in the bottom half of the inning.

UAFS scored its final two runs in the seventh on an RBI single by Williams and a bases loaded walk by rightfielder Tristan Kalina.

Williams led three Lions with two hits and drove in two runs. Easley and Hurt also had two hits, while Brown and Sunny each scored twice.

The Lion bullpen was strong again, with both Lukas Petross and Braiden Partin each tossing two scoreless innings, allowing just two hits combined and striking out five.

The series concludes Friday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.