Courtesy University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Athletics Department
After combining for a total of 30 runs during Friday’s Heartland Conference series-opening doubleheader, the UAFS Diamond Lions and St. Edward’s Hilltoppers found runs to be at a premium during Saturday’s series finale.
The No. 15 Hilltoppers scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning, and that was just enough as St. Edward’s beat UAFS 1-0 to win the three-game series in Austin, Texas. UAFS (1-2) won the opening game 10-6 on Friday, but St. Edward’s (2-1) won the second game 13-1 via run-rule.
UAFS starter Neil Smith gave up a leadoff single to second baseman Taylor Johnson, who advanced to second on a throwing error by Smith in a failed pickoff attempt. Smith walked left fielder A.J. Hermanson. The senior right-hander got first baseman Wesley Koenig to hit into a fielder’s choice that led to Hermanson being forced out at second.
A throwing error by second baseman Ryan Gros allowed Johnson, who had advanced to third, to score what turned into the game-winning run.
Smith regrouped and got shortstop Ransom LaLonde to foul out to first base. He gave up a two-out single to designated hitter Cutter Runte but got right fielder Marshall Burford to fly out to right field to end the scoring threat.
Smith (0-1) scattered eight hits, walked two and struck out 6 over seven innings before giving way to closer Hasten Freeman, who pitched a hitless and scoreless eighth inning.
Johnson was the only Hilltopper with multiple hits, going 2 for 4.
That one-run, however, was all the support that Hilltoppers starter Cody Ellerbee needed. Ellerbee allowed just three hits with one walk and six strikeouts over eight strong innings, and closer A.J. Rataic retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his first save.
First baseman Christian Allen and left fielder Madison Beard were each 1 for 4 and third baseman Adam Baker was 1 for 3 to lead UAFS, which left seven runners on base.
NO. 15 ST. EDWARD’S 1, UAFS 0
UAFS 000 000 000 — 0 3 4
St. Edward’s 100 000 00X — 1 8 2
Smith, Freeman (8) and Smith; Ellerbee, Rataic (9) and Manning. W – Ellerbee, 1-0. L – Smith, 0-1. Sv – Rataic (1).
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