CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M junior Eric Ortiz drove in six runs highlighted by a first inning grand slam as the #3 Buffaloes clinch a Lone Star Conference weekend series victory over the UAFS Lions on Monday afternoon with a 16-4 run-rule win in the series finale at Crowder Field.
 
The Buffs jumped out to an early lead as they plated eight runs in the top of the first inning, Adam Becker doubled to center to drive in Ryan Johnson followed by a Will Fuenning walk and an Ortiz grand slam to right field. WT wasn't done yet as Eddy Savoie doubled down the left field line to score Bryant Bailey and Kix Ferrel followed by a Johnson RBI single up the middle to make it 8-0.
 
UAFS cut into the lead in the home half of the first as they took advantage of four walks in the frame as Nolan Riley drew a free pass with the bases loaded to score Hunter Church to make it 8-1. 
 
WT responded in the top of the third as a Lion throwing error plated Savoie followed by a Becker two-run single to center to make it 11-1, Ortiz drove two more with a double to the right center field gap followed by a Clay Artho double off of the center field wall for the 14-1 lead.
 
The Buffs took advantage of the fourth error of the game for the Lions in the top of the sixth inning as Savoie scored from third on an errant throw with two outs followed by a Fuenning RBI single thru the left side to extend the lead to 16-1. 
 
Fort Smith cut into the lead in the home half of the sixth as Trevor Brown lifted a three-run homerun down the left field line just inside the foul pole with one out to cut the lead to 16-4.
 
Sasha Sneider picked up the win (1-0) on the mound for the Buffs, allowing one earned run on no hits with five walks and three strikeouts in his four innings of work.
 
The Buffs return home for Lone Star Conference action next weekend as they host the Eagles of Oklahoma Christian in a four-game series starting at 7 p.m. on Friday night a Wilder Park.