FORT SMITH, Ark. – Following an opening weekend split, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball will host Angelo State in its home opening series Friday through Sunday at Crowder Field.
A slight change has been made to the schedule, with the teams now slated to play a doubleheader Friday with single games on Saturday and Sunday. The first pitch for all three days is slated for 1 p.m.
New this year for UAFS Baseball is that all home games will be broadcast on Fox Sports Radio 103.5, which also broadcasts UAFS basketball and volleyball games. That broadcast will be simulcast on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network live stream.
Links to live stats, the radio broadcast and LSC Digital Network can all be found at uafortsmithlions.com
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: The Lions split the opening weekend at Lubbock Christian, winning the first and final games of the series with the Chaps taking the middle two games.
STARTING STRONG: In the opening game of the series, starter Logan Grant took a no-hitter into the fifth inning against LCU. He would earn the win after tossing 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks with six strikeouts.
RUN RULE: The Lions run ruled the Chaps in the series finale, 17-6. Six players had multiple hits and multiple RBIs. UAFS walked 12 times in addition to its 16 hits.
AT THE PLATE: Utility Zach Slunder led the Lions at the plate last week, batting .500 with five runs and four RBIs. Outfielder Hunter Church hit .313 with four runs, a homer and five RBIs.
HOME OPENER: UAFS is 10-2 in home openers at Crowder Field as an NCAA II member.
LAST MEETING: UAFS faced Angelo State in the first round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament last season, with the Rams winning the three-game series, 2-1.
THE SERIES: Angelo State and UAFS have only met one other time prior to last year's postseason series, with the Rams winning, 11-6, in 2017 and hold a 3-1 series lead.
SCOUTING ASU: The Rams are ranked No. 5 by the NCBWA, and split their season opening series at home against UT Tyler. Infielder Jordan Williams leads the Rams at the plate with a .417 average and four RBIs. On the mound, relievers Jackson Haga and Price Siemering combined for 9.2 scoreless innings last weekend.
