FORT SMITH, Ark. (February 27, 2015) – For the first time under 12th-year head coach
Nathan Blackwood, Lubbock Christian University opens conference play with a loss. University of Arkansas Fort Smith used a four-run second inning and opened Heartland Conference play with an 8-4 win over Lubbock Christian University. The game was the first game of an originally scheduled doubleheader at Crowder Field, but the second game was postponed due to the sub-30-degree weather conditions.
UAFS, with eight games cancelled due to weather, had not played since Feb.14, but they didn't have any rust once the game was underway. They posted two runs in the first inning with a pair of two-out singles and then followed with a four-run second inning. UAFS produced nine hits in the game, with eight coming with two outs. Four of their five hits in the second inning were two-out base hits, including a two-run triple by Kasey Cooper to extend the Diamond Lions lead to 6-0.
LCU did manage to come back, scoring the game's next four runs. The runs came in a two-run third and fourth inning, with
Wade Stramp combining for two RBI-singles in the innings.
Brett Wilhelm also drove in a run during the comeback attempt. The Lions put the game away with a run in the fifth and sixth innings to garner their first ever win over the Chaps.
Cooper finished the game 3-for-3 for UAFS with two runs-batted-in. Stramp was 3-for-4 with two RBI in the losing cause. Wade Roth pitched the final 3.1 innings of relief for UAFS and claimed the win (4-0) not allowing a run off two hits. LCU's
Brig Gerlich, who went 11-0 last season, fell to 2-2 with the loss. He went five innings and allowed seven runs off seven hits. Only five of the runs were earned, as LCU committed three errors.
The Chaps are now 11-1 all-time under Blackwood in conference openers and 1-1 in Heartland Conference openers. The loss, LCU's second consecutive loss, placed them 7-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play. They fall to 0-4 in road games, as UAFS improves to 7-0 overall (1-0 in conference) which matches their home record (UAFS has not played a road game this season).
The series remainder is uncertain and a later announcement will be made.
