WICHITA, Kan. – Outfielder Connor Earleywine collected three hits including a triple and scored four times as University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Baseball run-ruled Newman, 16-4, on Friday for its first MIAA win of the season.

After a scoreless first inning, UAFS struck first in the second on an RBI single by catcher Cade Heckendorn. The Lions extended the lead with four runs in the third after Earleywine led things off with a triple.

Earleywine scored on an RBI single by infielder Quinton Borders before the Lions loaded the bases and scored three times on an error and a pair of groundouts.

Newman got on the board in the third before Earleywine contributed two more runs with an RBI single and then coming around to score in the fourth.

Leading 8-4, UAFS put the game out of reach in the seventh and eighth innings with four runs in each frame. Infielder Layne Sweat drove in a pair in the seventh before two more runs scored on a bases loaded walk and sacrifice fly.

In the eighth, Heckendorn and Earleywine tacked on RBI singles while infielder Caleb Eisenhower capped the scoring with a two-run double.

Eisenhower finished with four driven in while four others tallied two apiece. Heckendorn and outfielder Nick Mazzola each scored three times in the win.

Steffan Fak started on the mound and allowed just one run over three innings while Eli Gilreath earned the win with 2.2 innings in relief. Tommy Kelsey and Colby Morrow each threw scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

The teams will now play the final two games of the series Saturday at noon due to inclement weather forecast for Sunday.