Courtesy University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Athletics Department
The UAFS Diamond Lions will take a brief break from Heartland Conference play on Tuesday when they host in-state, nonconference foe Henderson State at Crowder Field.
A doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m., weather-permitting. Live statistics and webcast will be available.
UAFS (16-13) will look to snap a season-long, four-game losing streak. The Diamond Lions are coming off a three-game series Heartland Conference series sweep at the hands of conference leader and No. 7-ranked St. Mary’s University this past weekend at Crowder Field.
The Rattlers, who are ranked No. 1 in the South Central Region, beat the Diamond Lions 9-3, 6-1 and 2-1 to give UAFS just its third conference series loss of the season. It was the first time UAFS has been swept in a conference series this spring.
It will be the second encounter of the season between UAFS and Henderson State. The teams split a doubleheader on Feb. 24 in Arkadelphia, Ark. Henderson State won the opener 5-1, and UAFS won the second game 4-3.
UAFS is batting .239 as a team with four starters batting 0.250 or better – senior third baseman Adam Baker (0.299), senior designated hitter Christian Allen (0.288), senior catcher Ben Smith (0.280) and senior outfielder Dax Dupire (0.265).
The Diamond Lions pitching staff has compiled a 4.60 ERA with 96 walks and 137 strikeouts over 227 innings. Sophomore right-hander Hasten Freeman (3-2) leads all starters with a 3.15 ERA and has 12 walks and 33 strikeouts over 40 innings. Freeman, who began the season as a closer, also leads the team with four saves.
The Reddies (20-12) have won six games in a row and are coming off a home Great American Conference series sweep of Southern Nazarene University this past weekend in Arkadelphia.
Henderson State is batting .293 as a team with 58 extra-base hits, including eight home runs. Four starters are batting 0.300 or better – senior outfielder Zac Zdanowicz (0.412), senior first baseman Michael Corso (0.346), senior catcher Michael Schell (0.342) and sophomore infielder Carlos Rodriguez (0.319).
The Reddies pitching staff has compiled a 4.32 ERA with 98 walks and 180 strikeouts over 260 2/3 innings. Senior left-hander Austin Coble (6-1) leads all starters with a 2.48 ERA and has 11 walks and 29 strikeouts over 54 1/3 innings. Reliever Jordan Wright leads the team with 10 saves and has compiled a 0.56 ERA with 13 walks and 40 strikeouts over 32 1/3 innings.
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