Courtesy University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Athletics Department
UAFS finds itself in a rather unfamiliar situation going into this weekend’s three-game Heartland Conference baseball series against the No. 22-ranked St. Edward’s University Hilltoppers at Crowder Field.
The Diamond Lions are coming off only their second conference series loss of the season. UAFS dropped its three-game series 2-1 this past weekend against the Newman University Jets at McCarthy Field in Wichita, Kan.
It was the Diamond Lions’ first series loss since losing the season-opening conference series 2-1 against St. Edward’s on Feb. 1-2 at Austin, Texas, and snapped a streak of four-consecutive series wins by UAFS.
UAFS will look to avenge its series loss to St. Edward’s this weekend. A 1 p.m. doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday with the series finale scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, weather-permitting. Live statistics will be available.
The series was originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday but was moved back because of inclement weather.
The Diamond Lions (14-9, 12-6) begin the second half of conference play in third place, one game behind conference co-leaders No. 20-ranked St. Mary’s (17-8, 13-5) and St. Edward’s (17-7, 13-5). UAFS has a one-game lead over fourth-place Texas A&M International (16-10, 11-7) and a three-game lead over fifth-place Newman (12-10, 9-9).
UAFS is batting .249 as a team with 47 extra-base hits, including five home runs. Three starters are batting .300 or better – senior catcher Ben Smith (.325), senior outfielder Dax Dupire (.324) and senior third baseman Adam Baker (.303).
The Diamond Lions pitching staff has compiled a 4.58 ERA with 61 walks and 104 strikeouts over 177 innings. Sophomore right-hander Hasten Freeman (3-0) leads all starters with a 1.82 ERA with six walks and 23 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings. Junior closer Jordan Hammer has a 1.69 ERA with three walks and 13 strikeouts with two saves over 16 innings.
St. Edward’s is coming off consecutive conference series sweeps of Oklahoma Panhandle State and Texas A&M International.
The Hilltoppers are batting .293 as a team with 43 extra-base hits, including five home runs. Six starters are batting .300 or better – senior second baseman Taylor Johnson (.391), junior catcher CJ Manning (.388), sophomore second baseman Cutter Runte (.328), senior outfielder Joe Pirozzolo (.318), junior infielder Ransom Lalonde (.306) and senior outfielder Beau Rogers (.306).
St. Edward’s pitching staff has compiled a 2.83 ERA with 60 walks and 143 strikeouts over 206 2/3 innings. Junior right-hander Brannon Easterling (5-1) leads all starters with a 1.98 ERA with eight walks and 31 strikeouts over 50 innings. Senior reliever AJ Rataic leads the team with four saves.
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