LUBBOCK, Texas – Outfielder Blayse Quarnstrom hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning as University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball defeated Lubbock Christian, 7-4, in the series opener Friday.

Quarnstrom's home run broke a 3-3 tie after the Chaps had tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth.

The Lions added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth when outfielder Michael Brinton scored on a wild pitch and Quarnstrom drove in a run on a fielder's choice. Quarnstrom finished with four RBIs on the night, also driving in a run via a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

UAFS had been no hit until the fifth, when catcher Ryan Riggs lined a one out single up the middle. After a walk by infielder Cayden Burch, outfielder Brandon Ulmer doubled down the right field line to score Riggs. Infielder Noah Davis then drove in the third run of the inning on a bloop single following the sac fly.

Riggs and Ulmer each collected two hits for the Lions.

Grant Shankle earned his second win of the season after tossing six strong innings. He allowed three runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts. Luke Davenport tossed the final three innings to earn his first save of the season, also striking out two while allowing one run on four hits.

The Lions and Chaps continue the series Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.