FORT SMITH, Arkansas – Texas A&M International Baseball won game one of a four-game road series at UAFS, 9-7, after fighting off a late rally from the hosts.

The Lions jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first.

The Dustdevils responded with a lone run in the top of the third and took a 5-2 lead with four runs in the fourth.

Graduate student Daniel Hernandez scored in the third on a solo home run and started the scoring in the fourth with an RBI single. Senior Matt Kissamis reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Hernandez to score and senior Mario Chacon hit a sacrifice fly to score Kissamis.

Neither team scored for the next three innings, but TAMIU stretched its lead to 8-2 in the top of the eighth.

Chacon was hit by a pitch that scored a run and senior Brock Hargens hit a two-RBI single.

UAFS responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 8-4.

The Dustdevils added an insurance run in the top of the ninth on an RBI triple from Kissamis.

The Lions hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth but couldn't come any closer.

Hernandez, Kissamis and junior Antonio Buentello all recorded three hits for the Dustdevils while junior Joseph Cruz added two more.

Freshman Cody Templeton earned the start on the mound where he pitched six innings, allowing four hits and two runs while walking one and striking out five.

Redshirt freshman Reese Petersen pitched two innings of relief allowing two runs on two hits while walking one and striking out one. Redshirt freshman Caleb Strmiska earned the save recording the final two outs. He didn't allow a baserunner in his 0.2 innings of work.

The Dustdevils will be in action next on Saturday, March 11 for games two and three. Game two is scheduled to start at noon.