The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team defeated Prairie View A&M 6-5 at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex Saturday afternoon to tie the series at 1-1.

The Golden Lions wasted no time setting the momentum, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Junior Jarficur Parker doubled to left field, then advanced to third by senior Nick Kreutzer singled to right and scored on an error to give UAPB a 1-0 lead.  UAPB went up 2-0 when senior Austin Krzeminski doubled to center field, scoring Kreutzer.

The Golden Lions added to their lead in the bottom of the second inning when sophomore Braelin Hence led off with a single.  Hence advanced to second on a ground out by senior Justin Robinson and scored when senior Kacy Higgins singled up the middle to put the score at 3-0.

The Panthers would go to add one run in the top of the third inning before the Golden Lions responded by adding three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hence walked, then advanced to third after junior Darrian Aldridge reached on an error.  Higgins came through when it counted with a doubled to left field, scoring Hence and Aldridge to take a 5-1 lead.  On the next at-bat, Parker tripled to left field, scoring Hence to push the Golden Lions lead to five at 6-1. 

Prairie View would make a late rally in the ninth inning, cutting the lead to one at 6-5 with bases loaded, but UAPB defense held on for the win.

Higgins led the Golden Lions at the plate, going 2-for-3, with two RBIs and one run, followed by Parker with two hits and one RBI.  Junior Joel Barker led the Golden Lions on the hill, going 6.1 innings with five strikeouts for the win. Senior Antoine Luster picked up his first save of the season.

The Golden Lions will be back in action Sunday for the rubber match at 1 p.m. at the Torii Hunter Complex. 
 

#UAPBLionsAreComing