Alva Review-Courier -

FORT SMITH, Ark. – UA Fort Smith swept the three-game series with the Rogers State Hillcats as the Lions claimed a 4-3 victory in 14 innings Friday afternoon at Crowder Field.

The Hillcats struck first in extra innings as Brooks Douglass doubled to left field and scored on a Jordan Garr single up the middle with one out as RSU took a 3-2 advantage.

RSU reliever Rusty Huber loaded the bases in the home half of the inning and Jace Pitchford singled to left field to score Drew Duncan and tie the score, 3-3.

In the top of the 13th inning Bradley Degnan reached on a one-out single to right but was out on a double play ball hit by Chris Miguel to end the half inning. Josh Eclavea took the mound in the bottom of the inning and faced the minimum in his first inning of relief.

A ground ball deep into the hole at shortstop allowed Ismael Orozco to reach on a single with one out in the top of the 14th and Eclavea, in his first at-bat of the season, laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner in scoring position. The Hillcats were unable to capitalize off the sac bunt as Brooks Douglass struck out swinging.

Logan Allen led off the half inning with a double for UAFS and advanced to third on a Duncan sac bunt. A RBI ground out by Nick Yoning plated Allen and gave UAFS the series sweep of the Hillcats with the 4-3 14-inning affair.

Degnan put the Hillcats on the board first, 1-0, with his eighth home run of the season on a solo-shot to right field.

The Lions didn't even the score until the sixth inning with a fielder's choice RBI by Duncan. UAFS wasn't finished as Dion Williams singled through the right side of the infield to score Duncan and give the Lions a 2-0 lead.

RSU's Sam Casinelli reached on a fielder's choice as Garrett Hall was forced out at third unassisted by the third baseman. An error by the Lions' third baseman however allowed Douglass to reach home before Casinelli was put out stretching at third to tie the game at 2-2.

UA Fort Smith (23-15, 11-4) saw Clayton Whelchel (5-2) earn the victory in one inning of relief work allowing just one hit and striking out one. UAFS used five pitchers that allowed 10 hits and just three runs while striking out 17 batters.

RSU used four pitchers in the 14 inning affair, the most innings played in Hillcat baseball program history. Landon Nealon went 6.1 innings allowing just two runs, both earned, and three hits in fifth start of the season.

Eclavea (2-2) received the loss in 1.2 innings allowing one earned run on one hit. Rusty Huber made his longest appearance of the season going four innings in relief allowing one earned run on three hits and walking four while striking out five batters.

Rogers State (26-14, 10-8) will face the Drury Panthers on Tuesday, April 18 at the Diamond Sports Complex with a 3 p.m. first pitch. RSU Radio 91.3 FM will carry the non-conference match-up with the Panthers with live audio and video streaming provided on the Hillcat Network at http://www.rsuhillcats.com/live.