LUBBOCK, Texas – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball split its season opening doubleheader at Lubbock Christian Sunday, winning game one, 7-5, before dropping an 11-5 decision in the nightcap.
The Lions and Chaps are back at again Monday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
UAFS 7, LCU 5 (7)
The Lions used a four-run third inning and held off a seventh inning LCU rally to open the season with a 7-5 win.
UAFS loaded the bases with one out before first baseman Nolan Riley reached on a fielder's choice to drive in the first run. Outfielder Cash Balentine then scored on the same play on a throwing error.
Designated hitter Blayse Quarnstrom gave UAFS a 3-0 lead with an RBI groundout and catcher Trevor Brown capped the inning with an RBI triple.
The Lions extended the lead to 6-0 in the fifth, when Quarnstrom plated a pair on a fielding error that slipped through the infield.
The Chaps scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but outfielder Hunter Church answered with a leadoff home run down the right field line in the sixth.
LCU then plated three in the bottom of the sixth on a bases clearing triple and once again loaded the bases in the seventh. Reliever Jakob Petross then got the Chaps to ground into a game-ending double play with the tying run on first.
Starter Logan Grant earned the win by tossing 4.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out six. He carried a no hitter into the fifth and retired the first 12 batters of the game before issuing a walk.
Second baseman Mac Moody went 2-for-3 with two runs at the plate, with third baseman Brooks Sunny going 1-for-2 with a pair of runs, as well.
LCU 11, UAFS 5
UAFS briefly took the lead with three runs in the fifth inning, but the Chaps scored seven unanswered runs over the final four games to split the opening day doubleheader.
Quarnstrom delivered an RBI single to start the scoring in the fifth, then Riley was hit by a pitch to tie the game. Brown walked to give the Lions the lead, but they would end up leaving the bases loaded.
LCU then tied the game with a sac fly and took the lead on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth. The Chaps would add an insurance run in the seventh and four in the eighth.
The Chaps struck first in the opening frame, with the Lions quickly tying it in the second on an RBI single by shortstop Brenden Williams.
LCU regained the lead in the bottom half of the second, with UAFS getting a run back in the third on an RBI double by Sunny. LCU scored a single run in the fourth before the Lions took the lead in the fifth.
Eight of the nine starters recorded a hit, led by a 2-for-5 effort from Quarnstrom with a run and an RBI. Outfielder Zach Slunder went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.
Starter Brayden Ross pitched 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He walked five and struck out one. Dylan Rollins took the loss in relief, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks in 1.1 innings.
