Courtesy University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Athletics Department
Better late than never.
After waiting two days to begin its three-game Heartland Conference baseball series against No. 22-ranked St. Edward’s University, the UAFS Diamond Lions didn’t waste much time in winning the series.
The Diamond Lions held off a late rally by the Hilltoppers to win the first game of the series-opening doubleheader 7-5 on Sunday afternoon at Crowder Field and completed the sweep with a 5-3 win in the second game.
UAFS (16-9, 14-6) will play for the series sweep at 1 p.m. on Monday with one nine-inning game against St. Edward’s (18-9, 13-7) at Crowder Field. The series was originally scheduled to begin on Friday and end on Saturday, but inclement weather force the series to be moved back two days.
It was UAFS’ fifth conference series win in seven tries this season and avenged the Diamond Lions’ season-opening 2-1 series loss to the then No. 15-ranked Hilltoppers in Austin, Texas. UAFS moved into sole possession of second place and is one-game behind league-leader St. Mary’s (19-9, 15-5) and one-game ahead of third-place St. Edward’s.
UAFS batted through the order in the first inning of the opening game, taking control with five runs on five hits. Senior designated hitter Christian Allen ignited the outburst with a one-out, solo home run off Hilltoppers ace Brannon Easterling.
Senior right fielder Dax Dupire had a RBI single, freshman shortstop Ozzie Hurt had a RBI fielder’s choice, senior left fielder Madison Beaird scored on an error and senior center fielder Curtis Clark had a RBI single – all with two outs.
The Diamond Lions scored what eventually turned into the game-winning run in the third inning on Hurt’s RBI single to right-center field for a 6-0 lead.
UAFS led 7-3 before St. Edward’s mounted a late rally in the top of the seventh inning against Diamond Lions closer Jordan Hammer. Hammer hit left fielder Cutter Runte to start the inning before striking out shortstop Ransom LaLonde. Hammer lost his control after that, walking catcher CJ Manning, pinch hitter Nate Bobrowski and first baseman Wes Koenig, which forced in a run.
Hammer was replaced by reliever Neil Smith with the bases loaded and one out. Smith got right fielder Joe Pirozzola to ground out to first base, which forced in another run to trim UAFS’ lead to two runs with two outs. Smith ended the Hilltoppers’ rally by getting designated hitter Marshall Burford to ground out to shortstop to earn his first save of the season.
St. Edward’s collected five hits off two of the three UAFS pitchers. Diamond Lions starter Koby Chadick (5-2) earned the win, allowing three runs – one earned – on five hits with five walks and five strikeouts over six complete innings.
Second baseman Taylor Johnson led the Hilltoppers, going 3 for 4 from the leadoff spot.
UAFS collected 10 hits off Easterling (5-2), who suffered the complete-game loss. Easterling allowed seven runs – three earned – walked one and struck out five. Allen was 3 for 3 with one RBI to lead the Diamond Lions, while Beaird was 2 for 3, Clark was 2 for 3 with one RBI and Dupire and Hurt were each 1 for 3 with one RBI.
Diamond Lions senior left-hander Brandon Taylor (4-3) scattered eight hits, walked three and struck out seven in earning the complete-game win in the second game. It was the first complete game of the season for Taylor, who allowed only single runs in the first, third and fifth innings.
Taylor worked out of several jams, though, as the Hilltoppers stranded 10 runners on base.
Manning led the Hilltoppers, going 2 for 4 with two RBI, and was the only Hilltopper with multiple hits. Runte was 1 for 5 with one RBI.
UAFS collected nine hits – all off St. Edward’s starter Paul Smith. Smith (1-1) suffered the loss in six complete innings, allowing five runs – all earned – on five hits with one walk and one strikeout.
Senior third baseman Adam Baker was 2 for 4 with two RBI to lead UAFS. Allen was 2 for 4 with one RBI, and senior catcher Ben Smith was 1 for 4 with one RBI.
UAFS trailed 3-2 going into the bottom of the fifth inning before taking the lead for good with a three-run outburst. Smith had a RBI single to tie the game, Baker had a RBI single to give the Diamond Lions the lead and Beaird gave UAFS a two-run cushion with a sacrifice fly to center field.
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE
GAME ONE
UAFS 7, ST. EDWARD’S 5
St. Edward’s 000 210 2 — 5 5 2
UAFS 501 100 X — 7 10 1
Easterling and Manning; Chadick, Hammer (7), N. Smith (7) and B. Smith. W – Chadick, 5-2. L – Easterling, 5-2. Sv – N. Smith (1). HRs – UAFS, Allen (1).
GAME TWO
UAFS 5, ST. EDWARD’S 3
St. Edward’s 101 010 000 — 3 8 1
UAFS 200 030 00X — 5 9 1
Smith, McDonald (7), Seithel (7) and Manning; Taylor and B. Smith. W – Taylor, 4-3. L – Smith, 1-1. HRs – None.
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