CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M Buffaloes got back on track on Friday evening as they pounded out 22 hits on their way to a 23-5 run-rule victory over the Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions during Lone Star Conference action at Wilder Park in Canyon, Texas.
 
The Lions got out to an early lead in the top of the first inning as Matt Schilling singled to left center with two outs to drive in Nico Patrick for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Buffs responded in the bottom of the first inning as Adam Becker moved alone into second on WT's all-time homerun list with a two-run shot to left field followed by an Eddy Savoie two-run single up the middle and a Dylan Fesperman RBI single to force a UAFS pitching change. The Buffs weren't done yet as Cameron Loy single to the gap in right center to drive in two for the 7-1 lead.
 
WT added to their lead in the second as Will Fuenning singled to left center with no outs to plate Becker followed later in the frame by a Fesperman two-run double off of the wall in left center, Mike Manetta kept the inning alive with a two-run single followed by a wild pitch to score to score Loy for the 13-1 lead.
 
The Buffs added to their lead in the third as Fesperman launched a three-run homerun the other way to right field followed by a Becker RBI double and a wild pitch to make it 18-1. UAFS cut into the lead in the top of the fifth as Dan Taylor doubled to the gap in left center with one out to make it 18-2.
 
WT used the long ball again in the bottom of the fifth inning as Cameron Loy lifted a two-run long ball off of the netting beyond the right field fence with no outs to make it 20-2. The Lions cut into the lead again in the top of the sixth with a pair of runs before WT responded in the home half with a Savoie RBI single and a two-run single up the middle by Kix Ferrel for the 23-4 lead.
 
Gavin Pringle picked up the win (7-1) for the Buffs, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in his 5.0 innings of work.
 
The Buffs and Lions continue their series tomorrow afternoon with first pitch of a doubleheader set for 3:00 p.m, at Wilder Park.