FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball saw a late lead slip away in the series finale Sunday, falling to Texas A&M International, 10-6, in 10 innings at Crowder Field.
The Dustdevils scored nine runs over the final three innings.
UAFS led 3-1 after seven innings thanks to a strong start on the mound from Logan Grant, who was making his first start of the season. He allowed two runs on six hits over seven plus innings while striking out seven.
TAMIU scored three runs in the top of the eighth after chasing Grant, tying the game on a two-run double before taking the lead on a two-out single. The Lions limited the damage in the inning by throwing the runner out at the plate for the final out.
The Lions answered right back in the bottom half of the frame, with infielder Noah Davis delivering a game-tying two-out single to left. UAFS then took the lead when a deep fly ball was dropped by the right fielder, allowing two runs to score.
After the Dustdevils first two batters collected hits in the ninth, reliever Devon Chapa struck out the next two batters. However, the next better doubled in two runs to tie the game.
The Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but left them stranded.
UAFS retired the first two batters in the tenth, but a hit by pitch, single, passed ball and error allowed the Dustdevils to regain the lead. The Dustdevils then added three more insurance runs and struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th to sweep the series.
Utility Blayse Quarnstrom reached base six times by walking twice, getting hit by a pitch and going 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and two runs scored.
Next up for the Lions is a four-game series at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
