ODESSA, Texas - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith salvaged a split in Friday's doubleheader at UT Permian Basin, winning the final game of the series, 16-12.
The Falcons took the first game of the day, 11-5. UAFS will be at home for the final weekend of the regular season to host UT Tyler April 26-28 at Crowder Field.
UTPB 11, UAFS 5
The Falcons scored three times each in the first and second innings as the Lions were forced to play from behind once again.
Infielder Noah Davis continued his power surge at the plate with a solo homer in the third, but the Falcons tacked on four more runs in the fifth for an 11-2 advantage.
UAFS then scored three times in the sixth on a bases loaded walk and a UTPB error.
Outfielders Blayse Quarnstrom, Michael Brinton and infielder Matt Schilling all collected two hits for the Lions. Starter Brayden Ross took the loss after tossing five innings on the mound.
UAFS 16, UTPB 12
A pair of big innings powered the Lions to the win in the series finale, as UAFS scored six times in the second inning and another five runs in the sixth inning.
UAFS opened the game with a three-run first, with Davis hitting his second blast of the day, a two-run shot to give the Lions a 2-0 lead. Designated hitter Cayden Burch then drove in a third run on an RBI single to score infielder Nico Patrick.
After the Falcons scored single runs in the first and second, Burch started the six-run third with an RBI single to once again score Patrick. Burch finished 3-for-4 with three runs and three driven in.
The first 10 batters of the inning reached safely, with both outs being recorded via a fielder's choice. Quarnstrom followed Burch with an RBI single followed by a run scoring on an error and an RBI single by infielder Jordon Helm.
Davis then walked in another run before Brinton capped the scoring with an RBI fielder's choice.
Davis' big day continued in the sixth when he started the scoring with a two-run double and later scored on a two-run single by Brinton. Davis went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and five RBIs in game two. Patrick drove in the fifth run of the frame with a double, scoring Brinton. Brinton also drove in three and scored twice.
UTPB rallied with nine runs in the sixth through eighth innings, but Jakob Petross escaped the jam in the eighth and pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the win.
Riley Lowry earned the win on the mound after striking out five over 5.1 innings of work.
Schilling added two more hits in the finale, as did catcher Ryan Riggs and Patrick. Riggs scored twice and had an RBI while Schilling scored one run.
