FORT SMITH, AR – The UT Permian Basin baseball team opened their weekend series with Arkansas-Fort Smith by getting four multi-hit performances on Friday.  Ethan Flodstrom, Mason Hamlin, Brent Rigtrup, and Austin Hall each had a pair of hits on the day, and the Falcons recorded 11, but it wasn't enough as the Lions took the opener 11-6.
 
Flodstrom got things going with a lead-off single and moved to second after Hamlin was hit by a pitch.  Two batters later, a ground ball by Rigtrup put the Falcons up 1-0.  The Lions held a 3-1 lead heading into the fifth where the Falcon offense tied things.  Flodstrom once again led off with a single before scoring on a double by Carson Johnson.  Later in the inning, Hall's single scored Johnson to tie the game.
 
After the Lions retook the lead with a run in their half of the fifth, the Falcons responded once again.  This time it was Michael Clapperton getting things going with a hit-by-pitch before stealing second.  Hamlin drove him home with a single to left and things were tied at four.
 
The Falcons finished their scoring with an RBI-single by Clapperton in the eighth before Flodstrom brought home another on a ground ball.  It was too late though as an error extended the seventh inning for the Lions who scored seven runs.
 
Trevor Barth had a strong start going 6.0 innings and striking out seven and walking just one. 
 
The Falcons and Lions are back at it tomorrow in Fort Smith with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. in game one of a doubleheader.