FORT SMITH – The historic first home game of the regular season on Sunday, August 4, slipped away from the Fort Smith Marshals early. But that didn’t spoil the celebration, as it was the first time in 70 years that a baseball franchise had visited the River Valley.

Fort Smith lost 19-3 in a seven-inning game with the run rule in place. But that won’t be the memory that Fort Smith Marshals manager Steve Maddock will remember. What he will remember is his help in bringing baseball back to Fort Smith.

“This is a great baseball town,” Maddock said. “They’ve been really supportive. I think it’s going to be a fantastic place as more people find out about us. We’ve been treated well all around town. Hopefully we’ll do better next year. But we’re not done yet.”

There were some bright spots for Fort Smith (28-35) on Sunday as the team tries to defend its fourth place and final spot in the Mid-America League playoffs.

Marshals first baseman Tanner Callahan finished the game 3-for-4 with an RBI. It was the first three-hit night of the summer for the Van Buren graduate, who has been in the starting lineup for most of the season.

“I don’t pitch the rest of the year, so I try to help the team out at the plate as much as I can,” Callahan said. “This has been a really special summer. I play every day at UAFS, and the Marshals’ opening night crowd was special. I’ll always remember that. I wear Marshals gear around town and people say, ‘Good game last night.’ I’ve loved my time here.”

Fort Smith Southside graduate Zeb Allen finished with two walks and a run, continuing his strong week that saw him debut with the team on Thursday.

“I’m trying to stay as calm as possible and get some good hits in,” Allen said. “I’m enjoying a little baseball before I go back to school. It’s been a great experience playing with some old high school teammates and competitors.”

The Marshals needed 39 pitches to get out of the first inning, and things didn’t get any easier after that. Abilene scored three or more runs five times in the first six innings. The Flying Bison were up 10-3 after three innings and were unstoppable.

“We’ve had a great summer here in Fort Smith and played some good baseball,” Maddock said. “Unfortunately, we have to accept that we’ve lost some players in the last few weeks. And it’s hard to replace people right now. We have to keep fighting for that playoff spot. We’re down to 18 players on a 40-man roster. It’s going to be tough, but the guys can do it.”

MARSHALS 18, FLYING BISON 17 (10)

On Saturday, August 3, the Marshals rallied from a deficit of as many as eight runs to defeat the Flying Bison on Saturday at Crowder Field in Fort Smith.

The Marshals trailed 16-10 by the end of the eighth inning and scored six runs to tie the game.

Abilene took a 17-16 lead in the 10th inning, but Keypher De Leon hit an RBI double to tie the score at 17-17 and Zeb Allen scored on a balk with the bases loaded to win the game.

The game featured 30 hits, including 16 for Fort Smith. Allen had 4 hits, 3 runs and 3 RBIs, while Ethan Whatley had 2 hits and 3 RBIs. Tre’En Dorsett, Tanner Callahan, Alexander Everett and Michael Speck each had 2 hits.

Eli Merritt earned the win for Fort Smith with three innings as a relief pitcher.

Joshua Overbeek had 2 hits and 4 RBI for Abilene, while Matt Brandt had 2 hits and 3 RBI, including a home run.

LAST ROAD TRIP

The Marshals made their final road trip of the regular season last Tuesday, losing 4-1 and 12-2 in Joplin on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Marshals lost 21-11 in Abilene on Thursday and played the Flying Bison again on Friday and Saturday. Results were not available at press time.