FORT SMITH - UAFS had plenty of scoring opportunities against West Texas A&M during Monday’s series finale at Crowder, but unfortunately for the Lions, they couldn’t deliver the big hit.
The Lions left 14 runners on base – nine in scoring position – and lost 5-4 in 10 innings to the Buffs.
UAFS (7-4) lost the series 2-1. The Lions lost the Sunday’s doubleheader opener 11-6 but won the nightcap 5-1.
Tied 4-4 going into the top of the 10th inning, Buffs designated hitter Christian Loya led off the inning with a single off Lions reliever Cooper Van Kooten, who was the second of three UAFS pitchers.
Lions reliever Ryan McCutcheon relieved Van Kooten and appeared to work out of the jam, after a sacrifice bunt by right fielder Nick Canas and a flyout to left field by third baseman Nick Guaragna.
Buffs catcher Brandon Marrero, though, ripped a double down the right field line that just stayed fair to drive in Loya for the go-ahead run. McCutcheon settled right down and got second baseman Tommy Williams to ground out to first base to end the inning.
UAFS put the tying run on base quickly in the bottom of the 10th inning when catcher Dylan Hurt doubled off West Texas A&M reliever Braden Baker. Baker was unfazed, though, and retired the next three batters in order to earn the win.
Baker (3-0), who was the last of three Buffs pitchers, allowed no runs on two hits with one walk and five strikeouts over three innings.
UAFS collected eight hits off the Buffs pitchers in all. Allen was 2 for 4 with a double, designated hitter Anthony Seminaris was 2 for 4 with one RBI, center fielder Jace Pitchford was 1 for 3 with one RBI, second baseman Troy Cahill was 1 for 4 with one RBI, Hurt was 1 for 4 and first baseman Kyle Love was 1 for 4.
West Texas A&M (11-2) collected nine hits, including three for extra bases. Loya was 2 for 5 with a home run and one RBI, shortstop Justice Nagawaka was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs, Marrero was 1 for 1 with a double and one RBI and first baseman Luis Amaro was 1 for 4 with one RBI.
Van Kooten (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts over four innings. Lions starter Jordan Lawrence allowed three runs on six hits with six strikeouts over five innings, while McCutcheon allowed one hit in one inning.
WEST TEXAS A&M 5, UAFS 4 (10)
West Texas A&M 000 021 100 1 — 5 9 4
UAFS 110 101 000 0 — 4 8 0
Draper, Cook (1), Baker (8) and Baxter, Marrero; Lawrence, Van Kooten (6), McCutcheon (10) and Hurt. W – Baker, 3-0. L – Van Kooten, 1-1. HRs – West Texas A&M, Loya (2), Nakagawa (3).
