FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball used a historic day at the plate to split a doubleheader against UT Permian Basin Friday at Crowder Field.
The Lions (12-12, 11-10 LSC) scored a program record 25 runs in a 25-3 win in game one, but the Falcons (10-13, 7-11 LSC) were able to salvage the final game of the series with a 5-4 win.
Next up for UAFS is a trip to UT Tyler April 9-10.
UAFS 25, UTPB 3
UAFS scored a program record 25 runs on just 12 hits in a seven-inning blowout. It also set a record with 19 walks. Every starter in the lineup recorded a hit and scored at least one run. Eight of the nine scored multiple runs.
The Lions batted around twice, scoring nine runs in the third and 12 in the fifth.
After two scoreless innings, the Lion bats woke up. Shortstop Brenden Williams led the inning off with a single, followed by a double by centerfielder Cash Balentine. The Lions then proceeded to get RBIs from second baseman Morgan Crenshaw, leftfielder Logan Easley and designated hitter Trevor Brown.
Three walks kept the bases loaded, with two driving in runs. Balentine then cleared the bases with his third double of the game, and would score on Crenshaw's RBI single for a 9-0 lead.
Each team tallied single runs in the fourth, with first baseman Nolan Riley hitting his first homer of the season.
UAFS scored all 12 runs in the fifth with two outs. Four batters reached on a hit by pitch and six reached via a walk. The Falcons also threw three wild pitches in the inning.
Third baseman Brooks Sunny had all five of his RBIs in the inning, starting the scoring with an RBI single before putting the finishing touches on with a grand slam.
The Lions had 12 consecutive batters reach base in the frame. After an RBI walk from right fielder Tristan Kalina, catcher Dylan Hurt cleared the bases with a triple to left center.
UAFS kept moving station to station with the next five batters reaching via walks or hit by pitches before Sunny's slam.
For good measure, the Lions added three more runs in the sixth on six walks and a fielder's choice.
Righty Foster Pace was the beneficiary of the prolific offensive outing, earning his second win of the season after allowing just two runs on three hits with seven punchouts over six innings.
Hurt totaled four RBIs, in the game, while Balentine and Crenshaw each drove in three. Riley scored four times, while Balentine, Sunny and Williams all scored three times each.
UTPB 5, UAFS 4
The Lions put the tying run on to lead off the ninth inning, but were unable to complete the comeback.
UTPB used a four-run fifth to take a 5-3 lead, erasing a 3-1 deficit.
UAFS scored three times in the third, getting one run on a sac fly by right fielder Tristan Kalina before back-to-back RBI doubles by catcher Dylan Hurt and shortstop Brenden Williams.
The Falcons got one run back in the third on an RBI double before the four-run fifth.
Hurt cut the deficit in half in the seventh, blasting a solo homer to left center to make it a 5-4 game.
The UAFS bullpen was strong once again, not allowing a run over the final 4.1 innings while surrendering just two hits and striking out five.
Logan Grant took the loss on the mound, allowing five runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Hurt led the Lions at the plate with two hits and two runs scored.
