FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball was swept in its MIAA opening double header Sunday, dropping a pair of games to Fort Hays State at Crowder Field. The Tigers took game one, 9-3, and then stole the nightcap from the Lions, 2-1.

The teams will clash again Monday at 1 p.m. in the series finale.

Fort Hays State 9, UAFS 3

The Tigers scored in seven of nine innings in game one to take the league opener for both teams.

After Fort Hays took a 2-0 lead, the Lions got on the board in the fourth when infielder Matt Schilling singled in a pair with the bases loaded to tie the game. However, the Tigers scored six unanswered runs to go up 8-2 before the Lions scratched a run across in the eighth.

Starter Brayden Ross took the loss on the mound, allowing four runs on nine hits over five innings with six strikeouts. Colby Morrow threw three innings in relief.

At the plate, catcher Nico Patrick and outfielder Cooper White each had two hits, with White scoring twice.

Fort Hays 2, UAFS 1

Grant Shankle threw eight strong innings, but the Tigers scored two late runs to get the come from behind win in game two.

Shankle held the Tigers scoreless through the first seven frames before Fort Hays scratched across a run in the eighth to tie the game. Shankle started the ninth inning, but was pulled after the first two batters reached. Fort Hays eventually took the lead on a wild pitch.

Shankle finished by allowing two runs – one earned – on seven hits with five strikeouts. At one point he retired 10 consecutive batters.

UAFS scored its lone run in the second, when infielder Eli Gilreath doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on a wild pitch.

White added two more hits for the Lions in the nightcap.