LAWTON, Okla. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball split its doubleheader at Cameron University Saturday, dominating the opener, 10-2, before dropping the nightcap, 7-2.
The Lions will look to even the series in the finale Sunday at 1 p.m.
UAFS 10, Cameron 2
Outfielder Michael Brinton hit two home runs and drove in six to lead the barrage at the plate in the opener. He hit a grand slam in the first inning as the Lions put up four runs before recording an out.
Cameron scored the only run over the next four innings in the second before the Lions had their second big inning of the day.
The first two Lions reached in the sixth before outfielder Blayse Quarnstrom delivered an RBI single with a second run scoring on an error. Quarnstrom would score on an RBI fielder's choice by catcher Nico Patrick, setting up Brinton's second homer of the day, a two-run blast to right center.
UAFS added another insurance run in the seventh on another RBI single by Quarnstrom.
Brinton finished 3-for-5 at the plate and was one of four Lions to score twice. Quarnstrom went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs while infielder Noah Davis also went 2-for-4.
Brayden Johnson was stellar on the mound once again, tossing six innings of two-run ball to earn the win. He allowed four hits while striking out nine. Brayden Ross pitched a scoreless seventh to close the game.
Cameron 7, UAFS 2
The Lions were unable to create the offense they had in the opener, as the Aggies tallied a pair of three run innings to split the doubleheader.
Patrick started the scoring in the first with a solo homer, but the Aggies tied it in the bottom half of the inning. Cameron then scored three times in the second to take a 4-2 advantage.
UAFS got a run back in the fifth when infielder Jordon Helm scored on an error, but the Aggies out together their second three-run frame in the bottom of the sixth to put the game out of reach.
Patrick, Davis and infielder Matt Schilling all had two hits in the loss. Starter Jakob Petross pitched four innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out four.