FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas - Fort Smith split its doubleheader with visiting Lubbock Christian Friday, winning the opener, 11-4, before being shut out in the night cap, 11-0, at Crowder Field.
Next up for the Lions is a trip to defending conference champion Angelo State March 3-5.
UAFS 11, Lubbock Christian 4
The Lions scored nine times in the first two innings and coasted to their first win of the series.
UAFS tallied three in the first, with outfielder Michael Brinton driving in the first run with an RBI single. Catcher Nico Patrick singled in a run as well, the fourth straight single in the inning for the Lions. Infielder Blayse Quarnstrom capped the scoring for the Lions with a sac fly.
The Lions batted around in the second, which saw seven of the first eight batters reach safely. Brinton, Patrick and Quarnstrom each tallied another RBI as the Lions pushed across six runs for a 9-1 lead.
Shortstop Matt Schilling drove in the Lions' 10th run of the game with an RBI double in the fifth and outfielder Brandon Ulmer drove in the final run on a single to score pinch runner Sammy Seeger in the sixth.
Lubbock had scored three times in the sixth with the aid of an error, but the Lions had limited the damage after the Chapes loaded the bases with no outs.
Starter Grant Shankle earned the win by going the distance on the mound, allowing two earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts.
Infielder Noah Davis led the Lions at the plate by going 3-for-3 with three runs scored, while Schilling and Patrick each collected two hits.
Lubbock Christian 11, UAFS 0
The Lions were shut out for the second time in the series, tallying just three hits. Schilling collected to of the base hits, including a double in the first inning.
Lubbock Christian scored four times in the first and then was kept quiet by the Lions bullpen until the ninth inning, when the Chaps added five more runs.
Lukas Petross had a strong outing in relief, striking out four without allowing a hit over 3.2 innings.
