FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball walked it off on a wild pitch in the 10th inning in game two of Sunday's doubleheader as the Lions split the day at Crowder Field against Oklahoma Christian.
The Lions picked up the 8-7 win in the nightcap after the Eagles took a 2-1 win in the opener. The teams will finish the series with a doubleheader Monday starting at noon.
Oklahoma Christian 2, UAFS 1
Starting pitcher Brayden Johnson was strong once again but the Lions were unable to get the bats going in game one. Johnson struck out eight over six innings, allowing two runs – one earned – on five hits.
The Lions turned a nifty double play in the first inning, only to see Oklahoma Christian hit a solo homer on the next pitch for a 1-0 lead. OC then took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on a wild pitch and an error by the Lions.
UAFS got its first hit of the game when pinch hitter Blayse Quarnstrom tripled to right in the sixth. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Tanner Callahan.
Infielder Noah Davis singled and reached second on a wild pitch but was left stranded to end the inning. UAFS also put the tying run on base in the seventh on a single by pinch hitter Nico Patrick but he was also left stranded.
The Lions were held to just three hits in the opener.
UAFS 8, Oklahoma Christian 7 (10 inn.)
Dakota Peters scampered home on a wild pitch with the bases loaded in the 10th innings as the Lions earned the walk-off win in comeback fashion.
Oklahoma Christian had leads of 4-0 and 7-4 with the Lions coming back to tie each time.
Trailing 4-0 in the third, UAFS pushed across two runs on bases loaded walks. Davis added a run in the fifth on a solo homer to left center and Patrick tied it with an RBI single.
After the Eagles pushed across three runs in the sixth, the Lions had to battle back again. Outfielder Michael Brinton drove in a pair in the eighth on a single to right and then pinch runner Cade Appleman scored the tying run on a single by Callahan.
UAFS had a chance to walk it off in the ninth after putting runners on second and third with two outs but couldn't drive in the winning run.
The Lions loaded the bases in the tenth as Peters singled followed by a pair of two-out walks. OC brought in a reliever, and the second pitch went to the backstop as Peters hustled home for the winning run.
Callahan collected two hits in the win, while Davis scored twice. Brinton had three RBIs. Logan Grant earned the win after tossing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. UAFS struck out 13 batters as a pitching staff.
