FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball will throw out the first pitch of the 2022 season Saturday when the Lions travel to Lubbock Christian for a four-game series.
The Lions will play a pair of doubleheaders, starting at 1 p.m. on both Sunday and Monday at Hays Field.
All four games will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network with live stats available at uafortsmithlions.com.
NOTES:
LAST SEASON: The Lions finished 14-19, 12-15 LSC in 2021 and advanced to the Lone Star Conference Tournament.
ALL-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: All 48 games the Lions are scheduled to play this season are LSC contests.
NEW BACKSTOP: UAFS will have to replace All-LSC second teamer and All-LSC Defensive team catcher Dylan Hurt, who was a staple in the lineup for the last four seasons. Hurt led the Lions in RBIs last season. The Lions have junior Trevor Brown and sophomore Nico Patrick has options to fill the role.
ALWAYS SUNNY IN FORT SMITH: Junior third baseman Brooks Sunny returns to lead the UAFS lineup after leading the Lions in average (.324), homers (7), runs (31) and walks (26). He was second with 24 RBIs.
ON THE MOUND: The Lions welcome the return of starting pitchers Brayden Johnson and Trevor Johnson from injury, as well as Logan Grant, who led the Lions with 10 starts a year ago. Twins Jakob and Lukas Petross look to improve on strong years out of the bullpen as freshmen in 2021.
KEY LOSSES/RETURNS: Along with Hurt, UAFS lost two starters in second baseman Morgan Crenshaw and outfielder Logan Easley. Other key returners for the Lions are first baseman Nolan Riley, shortstop Brenden Williams, and outfielders Cash Balentine and Hunter Church.
SEASON OPENERS: UAFS is 10-2 in season openers as a NCAA II member, having won 10 in a row since dropping the first two.
HEAD COACH TODD HOLLAND: The Lions are led by head coach Todd Holland, who enters his eighth season at the helm of the program. He has a 173-130 record as coach of the Lions.
PRESEASON POLL: UAFS was picked eighth in the LSC Preseason Poll by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media representatives.
THE SERIES: Lubbock Christian leads the all-time series against the Lions, 16-7. The Chaps took two out of three games last season at Crowder Field.
SCOUTING LCU: The Chaps return most of a roster that finished 23-24, 17-19 LSC and made a run to the LSC Championship game. All-Region catcher Luis Navarro leads the Chap offense after batting .405 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs last season. Right-handed pitcher Cade Acrey leads the Chaps on the mound out of the bullpen, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.00 ERA, two saves and 42 strikeouts in 18 appearances last year.
