CANYON, Texas – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball had no answer for the potent West Texas A&M offense Friday, as the Buffaloes scored 18 runs in the first three innings to defeat the Lions, 23-5, in the series opener at Wilder Park.

The Lions struck first in the opening frame on back-to-back two-out doubles from Nico Patrick and Matt Schilling, but WTAMU scored seven times in the bottom of the first and added on from there.

UAFS scored in each of the final three innings, receiving RBIs from Dan Taylor and Blayse Quarnstrom and scoring twice on wild pitches.

Taylor, Patrick and Kade Brewer each had two hits apiece for the Lions.

The Lions and Buffs next face off in a doubleheader Saturday starting at 3 p.m.