FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball is back at home this week as the Lions prepare to host No. 4 West Texas A&M at Crowder Field.
With the Easter holiday, the series is slated to start Thursday at 3 p.m. before the teams play a doubleheader Friday starting at 1 p.m. The series concludes Saturday with a first pitch of 1 p.m.
All four games will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network with live stats available at uafortsmithlions.com. Thursday's game will be broadcast on KFPW 1230 AM while the remaining three games will be broadcast on Fox Sports Radio 103.5.
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: The Lions split a four-game series at St. Edward's, scoring 18 runs in a win in the series finale.
IN THE POLLS: UAFS is receiving votes in this week's NCBWA South Central Region poll. This week's opponent, West Texas A&M, tops the regional poll and is No. 4 in the NCBWA Top 25.
POTW: Right-handed pitcher Brayden Ross was named the Lone Star Conference and NCBWA South Central Region Pitcher of the Week after tossing a four-hit complete game shutout with seven strikeouts against St. Edward's.
GETTING STARTED: The Lions are 5-2 this season in the first game of the series.
DUCKS ON THE POND: UAFS is hitting a blistering .447 with the bases loaded this season. Four players have at least four hits when the bases are full.
AT THE PLATE: Outfielder Brandon Ulmer continues to lead the Lions with a .368 batting average while catcher Nico Patrick is hitting .362 and has a team-high 27 RBIs.
ON THE MOUND: Ross leads the Lions' pitching staff with a 3.44 ERA and 25 strikeouts, while Luke Davenport has posted a 5-2 mark with a 3.82 ERA out of the bullpen.
SCOUTING WT: The Buffs have won five of their last six games and are 22-8, 21-7 LSC to sit atop the league standings. WT is second in the LSC with a .339 team batting average, with six players hitting above .350 and two over .400. Infielder Dylan Fesperman tops the Buffs lineup with a .420 average with five homers and a team-high 33 RBIs. Right-hander Matt Milner is WT's top starter with a 3-1 record and 4.58 ERA in 37.1 innings pitched.
THE SERIES: The Lions trail in the all-time series against the Buffs, 13-5. UAFS won four of the first five meetings, but the Buffs have won 12 of the last 13.
