TYLER, Texas - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball rallied back to split a doubleheader at UT Tyler Thursday as the Lions inched closer to securing a postseason berth.
UT Tyler took game one, 3-0, before the Lions erased a 5-0 deficit in game two to win, 7-5. UAFS can now clinch a spot in the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament with a win or an Eastern New Mexico loss.
The series continues Friday with a first pitch at 10Â a.m.
UT Tyler 3, UAFS 0
The Lions were held to just five singles as Patriot starter Rawley Hector tossed a complete game shutout.
UAFS put two runners on in the first and seventh innings but the runners were left stranded both times. UT Tyler tallied one run in the third and then added two runs in the fifth.
Grant Shankle pitched all seven frames for the Lions, allowing three runs on 10 hits while striking out three.
UAFS 7, UT Tyler 5
UAFS rallied from a five-run deficit with a three-run third and four-run fourth to split the doubleheader.
After the Patriots scored five times in the second off starter Brayden Ross, the Lions started the rally in the third with a walk by Jordon Helm and double by Brandon Ulmer, with Helm later scoring on a groundout by Noah Davis.
Cayden Burch then collected his second hit of the game, a two-run single up the middle to pull the Lions within 5-3.
Ross settled in a tossed a scoreless third and fourth innings as the Lions tied the game in the fourth on a two-run double by Davis. UAFS took the lead on a double steal and added an insurance run on a double by Nico Patrick for a 7-5 advantage.
Ross departed in the fifth after 4.1 innings for reliever Logan Grant, who threw 2.2 hitless innings for his fourth save of the season. Ross earned his seventh win of the year while striking out five and Grant struck out two for his fourth save.
Davis finished with three RBIs in game two while Burch, Ulmer and Michael Brinton all tallied two hits. Ulmer also scored twice.
