HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A six-run eighth inning rallied the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team to a wild 13-12 win Saturday at Alabama A&M in the second of a three-game non-conference series.
Brandon Simon hit a solo homer and had a season-high four hits, scored twice, drove in two runs and was triple away from the cycle.
Austin Krzeminski hit a two-run homer and had two hits including a homer and four RBI.
Ricardo Sanchez had a solo homer along with three hits and
Justin Robinson had three hits in the 15-hit UAPB attack.
Trailing 8-7 after seven, Sanchez' leadoff homer to right field tied the score at 8-8. With one out, Robinson singled and Nick Kretuzer was intentionally walked.
Bryce Roesch then reached on what was ruled a three-base error allowing both runners to score to put UAPB ahead for good, 10-8. Following a walk to
Ryan Mallison and the second out of the inning,
Krzeminski doubled to score Roesch and Mallison. Simon then singled, scoring Krzeminski for a 13-8 lead.
Antoine Luster earned the win, pitching 2 2/3 innings of relief. Alabama A&M scored four ninth-inning runs, but
Austin Toth induced a game-ending double play to earn the save.
The Golden Lions roared out of the game with a five-run first inning. Robinson walked and Kreutzer hit a ground-rule double just inside the right field line. With one out, Mallison singled to left, scoring Robinson for a 1-0 lead.
Larry Sims followed with a single just inside right field line, scoring Kreutzer for a 2-0 lead.
With two out, the Golden Lions hit back-to-back homers. Krzeminski hit a two-run homer to right to give UAPB a 4-0 lead. Simon then hit a solo shot to left to extend the lead to 5-0.
After Alabama A&M chipped away with runs in the first, second, and fourth innings to take the lead, the Golden Lions regained the lead in the sixth. With one out, Simon and Sanchez hit back to back singles. After
Braelin Hence reached on a fielder's choice, Robinson's double to right center scored Simon and Hence for a 7-6 UAPB lead.
The teams will play the final game of the series Sunday at 1 p.m., with live stats available via uapblionsroar.com and on the UAPB Athletics App.
