PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -Junior Brandon Simon racked up four hits, but the Golden Lions fell to the Prairie View A&M Panthers 8-5 on Sunday at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.

Senior Trenton Ferguson got the ball to start for UAPB and took the loss. Sophomore Andrew Duran was a bright spot for the Golden Lions, coming out of the bullpen and throwing four innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits, with two walks and one strikeout.

In addition to his four hits, Simon had a double to lead the Golden Lions. Junior Karsten Vasquez compiled a standout performance as well, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and two RBIs. Sophomore Lawrence Noble also contributed for UAPB, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a triple.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Golden Lions got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. UAPB plated two runs off of Prairie View A&M pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Vasquez.

The Golden Lions lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the seventh trailing 7-2. UAPB managed to push across two runs in the inning, which tightened the Panthers lead to 7-4.

UAPB kept the Panthers off the board before narrowing the gap to 7-5 in the eighth. The Golden Lions added a run on Vasquez's leadoff home run off senior Joshua Larzabal. The Golden Lions were unable to get any closer, as Prairie View A&M added one run to their tally on the way to an 8-5 final.
 

GAME NOTES
» Simon put together a four-hit day for the Golden Lions.
» UAPB's power output was led by Vasquez, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» The Golden Lions out-hit the Panthers at a 12-9 clip.
» Vasquez led the Golden Lions at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and two RBIs.

The Golden Lions will be back in action at home against Little Rock Trojans, Tuesday April 5.  First pitch is set for 3 p.m.