FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball suffered its first loss of the 2024 season as the Lions split a doubleheader at Crowder Field Saturday with St. Mary's.
UAFS kept its double-digit run streak alive with a 10-3 win in game one, but the bats went quiet in a 6-2 defeat in game two. The teams conclude the series at 1 p.m. Sunday.
UAFS 10, St. Mary's 3
The Lions exploded for five runs in the sixth inning as they scored at least 10 runs for the fifth straight game.
UAFS led just 5-3 entering the bottom half of the frame, when outfielder Brandon Ulmer began the scoring with an RBI single down the left field line. He came around to score on an RBI single by infielder Noah Davis as the first five batters of the inning reached base safely.
The Lions concluded the scoring with RBI singles by catcher Nico Patrick and outfielder Michael Brinton along with a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Dan Taylor.
Pitcher Jakob Petross tossed the final two innings to earn the save, allowing one unearned run.
The Lions got the scoring started in the first on a wild pitch and an RBI double by Brinton, then added a third run in the fourth on an RBI single by first baseman Dakota Peters.
St. Mary's got a pair of runs back in the fifth, but the Lions answered right back with two runs in the bottom half.
Brayden Ross earned the win on the mound after allowing two runs on five hits over 5.0 innings. He walked one and struck out two.
Davis, Patrick, Brinton and infielder Matt Schilling all finished with two hits. Patrick scored three times and Davis twice.
St. Mary's 6, UAFS 2
The Lions had the Rattlers down to their final strike before St. Mary's rattled off five two-out runs in the top of the seventh. UAFS then went down in order in the bottom of the frame.
Both teams scored in the first inning, with the Rattlers getting one run and the Lions scoring a pair on a two-run single from Brinton.
From there, it was a pitcher's duel, as neither team scored over the next five innings. Infielder Jordon Helm led off the second with a triple but was left stranded, as Helm and Brinton accounted for the only two hits of the game for the Lions.
After earning the save in game one, Petross was stuck with the tough-luck loss in game two. Riley Lowry started for the Lions, allowing one run on two hits over four innings with 10 punchouts. Luke Davenport allowed one run in relief over two-plus innings.