FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball closes out the 2023 regular season this weekend as the Lions visit UT Tyler for a four-game Lone Star Conference series.

First pitch of the series is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. followed by a doubleheader Saturday starting at 3 p.m. The regular season finale is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

All four games will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network with live stats available at uafslions.com.

NOTES:

LAST WEEK: UAFS split its series for the second weekend in a row, going 2-2 at home against UT Permian Basin.

LEADING OFF: Dan Taylor is batting .528 when leading off an inning this year and .298 from the leadoff spot in the batting order. He hit his first two home runs of the year over the weekend, including a leadoff blast on the first pitch in game one of Saturday's doubleheader.

AT THE PLATE: Catcher Nico Patrick leads the Lions with a .289 batting average while outfielder Michael Brinton leads the Lions in runs (28), homers (9) and RBIs (36). Infielder Matt Schilling is third in the LSC with 18 doubles.

ON THE MOUND: Starter Brayden Johnson ranks third in the LSC with a 3.47 ERA and is fifth with 79 strikeouts. Reliever Devon Chapa has thrown 10.1 consecutive scoreless innings in relief.

SCOUTING UTT: The Patriots are 32-14, 31-13 LSC and are coming off a loss to No. 10 Southern Arkansas after the weekend off. UTT is second in the league in batting at .346 and second in homers with 53 while leading the league with 396 RBIs. Catcher Ethan Bedgood tops the lineup with a .404 average and nine homers and 53 RBIs while infielder Austin Ochoa has a team-high 12 homers and 57 RBIs. On the hill, Dylan Blomquist has posted a 4.44 ERA with a 4-1 record while reliever Garrett Arredondo is 4-0 with four saves and a 0.89 ERA.

THE SERIES: UAFS trails the series, 8-2, after the Patriots took three of four games last season in Fort Smith.