Pine Bluff, Ark. – In midweek baseball action, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions welcomed the Thoroughbreds of Murray State University to the Torri Hunter Baseball Complex for a two game series, as head coach Carlos James and his Golden Lions squad tune up for this year's 2013 SWAC Baseball Championships.

Murray State registered the first runs of today's contest by plating their first two batters. The Golden Lions answered back in their half of the first, when Tyler Oertle and Isias Alcantar both came around to even the score at two.

Both teams added to their run total in the fourth inning, but the Thoroughbreds would out score the Golden Lions 3-1; for a 5-3 lead. UAPB would add another run in the fifth to close the margin to 5-4, after going scoreless in the sixth heading into the seventh.

Once again Murray State would widen their lead by two in the top half of the seventh, 7-4. Then in bottom half of the seventh, UAPB would plate another run to hack into the MSU lead when Cody De Mera, who stole third base came in to score on a foiled pick-off attempt by the MSU pitcher.

 Heading into the bottom of the ninth the ballgame became real interesting. Needing three runs to secure the victory, the Golden Lions got just that in a rather unique fashion. Mike Ludwig, pinch hitting for Dylan Calhoun reached base when he was hit by a pitch. De Mera would single; Oertle drew a walk, thus loading the bases. In Alcantar's appearance, MSU pitcher Cameron Wallace balked and in doing so the Golden Lions base runners were awarded a base, scoring Ludwig. De Mera would show his baseball I.Q., as the ball passed the MSU catcher, De Mera would come around to tie the ballgame at seven. After a pitching change, Alcantar would draw an intentional walk, Warren Stehn singled to reload the bases and on the next UAPB batter another walk would be handed out to plate the winning run giving the Golden Lions the late victory 8-7.

Murray State took the hitting advantage 13-11, but good ole' Golden Lions perseverance would prevail in the end.

Staten Jones was credited with win going 2 1/3 innings and striking out five. Calhoun was 2-for-2 in plate appearances on the afternoon.

“We have a formula for success, and it requires a number of parts to add up for it to happen, but all of the support from all throughout the season has been greatly appreciated as we enjoy being a positive representative of our University”, said assistant head coach Marcus MacMillan.

Tomorrow's wrap- up game is set for 1 PM at the Torri Hunter Baseball Complex.