FORT SMITH, Ark. – Central Missouri scored 11 runs in the final two innings as University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Baseball dropped the series opener, 14-3, Friday at Crowder Field to the No. 4 Mules.

Tied heading to the top of the eighth inning, the Mules took the lead on a double and then went ahead by four on a three-run homer. The Lions were unable to limit the damage, as the Mules added seven more runs in the top of the ninth.

UAFS received seven-plus strong innings on the mound from starter Brayden Ross, as he struck out seven before being pulled in the eighth with two runners on.

The Lions scored in the opening frame for a 1-0 lead on a fielder's choice by designated hitter Dakota Peters, but the Mules answered with a pair of homers in the third for a 3-1 lead.

Infielder Nico Patrick then tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run blast to right.

Both starting pitchers then took control of the game, as neither team scored over the next four frames. Ross retired 12 of 13 batters after allowing the first two batters to reach in the fourth until the end of the seventh.

Patrick and infielder Noah Davis each had two hits for the Lions, with Davis scoring twice.

The teams will square off in game two of the series at noon Saturday.