LUBBOCK, Texas – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball broke out the bats in the series finale at Lubbock Christian Monday, run ruling the Chaps with a 17-6 victory in seven innings. This came after dropping the first game of the doubleheader, 12-5.
Next up for the Lions is the home opener Friday at Crowder Field against Angelo State, as the Rams visit for a four-game series from Friday through Sunday.
LCU 12, UAFS 5 (7)
The Chaps scored in every inning as they took game one of the doubleheader, scoring 12 runs on 16 hits. They led 8-0 after three innings before the Lions pushed across a run in the fourth on an RBI single by first baseman Nolan Riley.
LCU then extended the lead to 12-1 after six frames before the Lions scored four times in the seventh. Six of the first seven Lion batters reached in the inning, with three collecting RBI hits.
Starter Lukas Petross surrendered eight runs on nine hits over 2.1 innings. Right-hander John Toney tossed 3.2 innings in relief in his collegiate debut.
UAFS 17, LCU 6 (7)
The Lions scored 17 runs on 16 hits as they run ruled the Chaps for a seven-inning victory. Six players recorded multiple RBIs while eight players recorded a hit as UAFS scored in every inning but the first.
After falling behind 2-0 after one inning, the Lions scored four times in the second when shortstop Brenden Williams cleared the bases with a three-run triple before scoring on an RBI single by outfielder Hunter Church.
Three more came across in the third – two on another triple – this time by catcher Nico Patrick. The lead extended to 10-2 in the fourth on an RBI single by outfielder Zach Slunder and a two-run double by second baseman Mac Moody.
The Chaps got two back in the bottom of the fourth, but the Lions responded right back in the fifth, using three straight walks to load the bases and score a run. Riley then cleared the bases with a two-run double with the third run scoring on an error.
LCU once again scored twice in the bottom of the frame after the first four batters reached and were threatening for more, but reliever Braiden Partin got out of the jam with a strikeout and flyout.
UAFS added two more runs in the sixth on singles by Slunder and Church, and tacked on a run in the seventh on another single by Church.
Church and Slunder each finished with three hits and three RBIs. Riley and Williams also had three RBIs each, with Williams scoring four times, as well. Williams and Church walked three times apiece while designated hitter Blayse Quarnstrom walked four times.
The Lions would draw 12 walks in addition to their 16 hits.
Brayden Johnson picked up the win on the mound, tossing four innings and allowing four runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Partin collected the save by pitching the final three innings, giving up just two runs on three hits with three punchouts.
