LIBERTY, Mo. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball scored in five consecutive innings as the Lions earned their first win of the season Friday with a 17-10 victory at William Jewell.

The Lions had a single tally in the second inning and then put up three runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings with a six-run fourth inning.

UAFS led 16-4 after six innings but the Cardinals tacked on three runs each in the seventh and eighth innings to extend the game. UAFS scored an insurance run in the ninth on a Cardinal error.

In the six-run fourth, the first six batters reached for the Lions as they recorded five hits and three walks in the inning.

Infielders Layne Sweat and Caleb Eisenhower along with outfielder Connor Earleywine all had four hits for the Lions, while outfielder JJ Young added three. UAFS finished with 19 hits overall.

The top four batters of the lineup combined to score 11 runs while Sweat scored four times.

Outfielder CJ Snowden led the Lions with four runs driven in, including a three-run homer. Eisenhower finished with three RBIs.

Aden Almeida earned the win on the mound after tossing five innings, allowing four runs – two earned – on eight hits while striking out two.

The teams will meet again Saturday at 5 p.m., with the start being pushed back due to rain in the forecast.