FORT SMITH, Ark. – Senior right-hander Javon Rigsby tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout to lead the UAFS baseball team to a 7-0 win against the Oklahoma Christian Eagles Saturday in the final game of the four-game, nonconference series at Dobson Field in Oklahoma City.
The win gave the Lions a split in Saturday’s doubleheader – UAFS lost the opener 5-3 – and the series win 3-1. UAFS beat Oklahoma Christian 16-11 in Friday’sseries-opening doubleheader and 7-6 in the Friday’s nightcap.
It was the final four-game, nonconference series against a Heartland Conference opponent for the Lions (14-6), who beat the Rogers State Hillcats 3-1 in the first such series on March 8-9 at Crowder Field.
It was the fourth appearance and second start for Rigsby (2-0), who threw his first complete game of the spring. He allowed no extra-base hits, walked only one and struck out nine.
Shortstop Kyle Bottger (1 for 1), catcher Chandler Salinas (1 for 2) and center fielder Austin Stokes (1 for 3) had the only hits for the Eagles (9-9), who left six runners on base.
Eagles starter Robbie Suhr (2-1) suffered the loss, allowing five runs – four earned – on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts over six innings. UAFS collected a combined 11 hits off all four of the Oklahoma Christian pitchers. The Lions are averaging almost 16 hits per game during the past five games.
Right fielder Logan Allen was 3 for 5 with two RBIs, center fielder Jace Pitchford was 2 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs, left fielder Dion Williams was 2 for 5 and shortstop Troy Cahill was 1 for 5 with two RBIs.
UAFS built an early 2-0 lead against Oklahoma Christian in the opening game, but the Lions couldn’t overcome five errors in suffering the loss.
Lions starter Jordan Lawrence (2-1) suffered the hard-luck loss, allowing five runs – only two earned – on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts in a complete game effort. The senior allowed only one extra-base hit – a double by Eagles center fielder Hunter Markwardt – and four singles.
Right fielder Chad Kennedy was 1 for 4 with one RBI, designated hitter Alex Garcia was 1 for 3 with one RBI.
The Lions out-hit the Eagles, collecting six singles, but UAFS left 10 runners on base. Williams was 2 for 4 with one RBI, designated hitter Anthony Seminaris 1 for 3, Pitchford was 1 for 3, first baseman Kyle Love was 1 for 2 and catcher Dylan Hurt was 1 for 2.
GAME ONE
OC 5, UAFS 3
UAFS 200 000 1 — 3 6 5
OC 302 000 X — 5 5 0
Lawrence and Hurt; Martin, Fusselman (6), Collins (7) and Brown. W – Martin, 3-0. L – Lawrence, 2-1. Sv – Collins (5). HRs – None.
GAME TWO
UAFS 7, OC 0
UAFS 000 023 002 — 7 11 1
OC 000 000 000 — 0 3 2
Rigsby and Santiago; Suhr, Litterell (7), Fryrear (8), Reynolds (9) and Salinas. W – Rigsby, 2-0. L – Suhr (2-1). HRs – None.
