ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball mustered just two hits as the Lions dropped the opener at Missouri Western on Friday, 5-1.

After the Griffons scored in the opening frame, the Lions evened the game on a delayed steal when catcher Ryan Riggs scored after reaching base earlier on a hit by pitch.

The Griffons then regained the lead in the bottom half of the inning and tallied single runs in three other frames.

UAFS loaded the bases in the top of the first but left them stranded with a fly out and strikeout. UAFS had just one base runner after the second inning.

Grant Shankle went the distance on the mound, allowing five runs over eight innings on six hits with seven punchouts.

Game two of the series is set for 2 p.m. Saturday.