ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — Henderson State completed a season sweep of Arkansas-Fort Smith with a 7-5 victory at Clyde Berry Field on Tuesday. The Reddies won their third 2025 non-conference bout with the Lions, in large part due to a four-RBI performance from senior first baseman Luke Rice.
After UAFS took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a wild pitch, Rice helped HSU claim its own first lead of the contest with a two-out, two-run single in the third. Jaxson Gregg then drove in Rice on an RBI double in the very next at-bat. In the fourth inning, Jeremy Schork added an insurance run via an RBI single before the Lions plated two in the top half of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Austin Scritchfield got one of those runs back with an RBI single of his own. When Arkansas-Fort Smith returned to the plate in the sixth inning, Noah Davis evened the score with a two-run home run. Later that same inning, Luke Rice once again put Henderson on top with a two-run homer off of the scoreboard. HSU's 7-5 advantage would hold through the end of the game.
Rice's efforts on Tuesday extended his hitting streak to seven games. The North Little Rock, Arkansas, native has now recorded eight multi-hit games in 2025.
Jaxon Gregg led the team with three hits, including two doubles. He also came around to score once in the Reddies' win.
Scritchfield and Tripp Campbell had two hits apiece on the day. Campbell walked one time.
Luke Farrar reached safely three times, including a double and two walks. The senior from Calhoun, Louisiana, scored twice.
Cal Jones and Julio Vasquez got on base and scored one time each.
Alex Galvan rounded out the Henderson hit parade with a single in the sixth.
Baylor Brumley earned his first win of the year in relief by tallying four outs without allowing a single run. Payton Byrd notched his third save of the season with a one-two-three ninth inning that featured two strikeouts.
On the heels of their midweek victory, the Reddies will host No. 18 Arkansas-Monticello for a three-game set this weekend. The series with open with a single game at Clyde Berry Field on Friday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. HSU will then face the Boll Weevils in a doubleheader beginning at noon on Saturday, Mar. 1.
