FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth but was unable to complete the comeback in a 9-7 defeat to Texas A&M International Friday at Crowder Field.

The Lions trailed 8-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth but scored five times in the final two frames.

After the Dustdevils doubled their lead with three runs in the top of the eighth, the Lions tallied two runs when third baseman Jordon Helm delivered an RBI single and outfielder Blayse Quarstrom drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

TAMIU added another insurance run in the ninth before outfielder Michael Brinton brought the Lions within two with a three-run homer to right. Nico Patrick was then hit by a pitch to bring the tying run to the plate, but the Dustdevils retired the final two batters.

UAFS took an early 2-0 lead in the first on a pair of sac flies, but the Dustdevils took advantage of seven UAFS errors to score once in the third and four times in the fourth.

Brinton finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs while shortstop Matt Schilling went 3-for-5 with a run scored.

Starter Luke Davenport took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits with three punchouts in 3.1 innings.

The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.