Box Score BATON ROUGE, La. - In game one of the 3-game series, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions trailed 5-1 before storming back for an 8-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory over Southern University at Lee-Hines Field. Games two and three were eventually canceled due to rain.

Southern jumped out on top with an early run in the first inning as a result of a UAPB error, but the Golden Lions tied things up in the top of the fourth when Sergio Esparza produced a RBI singled to center field that brought in the freshman Jar Parker. However, the Jags answered back in the bottom of the inning with two additional runs, then added a run in the next two innings to extend its lead to 5-1.

In the top of the seventh inning, Esparza scored a run as a result of a Jags error, cutting the deficit to 5-2 in favor of Southern. Moments later, following a strike out from John Magnuson, Ryan Mallison generated a RBI single to right field that scored Jacob Columbo. On the same play, Cutter McDonald scampered across home plate and scored on a Jags error. Parker then hit a pop fly to center field to end the inning as the Golden Lions trailed the Jags 5-4.

In the top of the eighth, Sanchez came up big for the Golden Lions with a two RBI double to center field that allowed JP Soriano and Austin Toth to score. On the same play, Sanchez advanced to third and Esparza came home on a Southern throwing error, giving UAPB a 7-5 lead. The Golden Lions added an insurance run when Columbo hit an RBI single down the line to bring in Sanchez.

Southern attempted to come back by adding two runs in the bottom of the eighth, but it wasn't enough as the Golden Lions held on for another conference victory.

As a team the Golden Lions produced a total of nine hits while its opponent produced 12 hits in the game. Southern finished with four errors while UAPB ended with two. Pitcher Nathan Sawrie (1-1) was credited with his first victory of the season as he struck out one batter and gave up two runs in 2.1 innings of work while teammate Tyrus Lopez got his second save of the season, striking out one batter and giving up one run in two innings pitched. Fellow Golden Lion pitcher Tim Reynolds went 4.2 innings before being replaced by Sawrie. Reynolds struck out five Southern batters and gave up four runs, three of which were earned.

UAPB (11-13, 8-5 SWAC) returns to action on Tuesday, April 10 as it plays host to the University of Central Arkansas in non-conference action. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.