PINE BLUFF, Arkansas --Junior Jaxson Lucas and sophomore Randy Little Jr. each collected six strikeouts to help propel the UAPB Golden Lions over the Dillard Bleu Devils 15-5 on Friday.
In addition to his six strikeouts, Lucas threw two innings, giving up one run on one hit and walking none for UAPB. Little's six strikeouts came in addition to his five innings of four-run ball where he allowed three hits while walking six.
Junior Isaiah Cohens led the way offensively for the Golden Lions, going 2-for-5 in the ballgame with a walk and two RBI. Junior Grant Devecsery put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Carlos Velez also contributed, going 1-for-3 for UAPB with two walks and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Lions got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. UAPB's offense started clicking and put up eight runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Velez and a two-run single from senior JaKobi Jackson.
The Golden Lions then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the fifth inning after the Bleu Devils cut it to 8-4. The UAPB offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of junior Micah Brown, which brought the score to 12-4 in favor of the Golden Lions.
UAPB kept Dillard without a run before building their lead to 13-4 the following inning. The Golden Lions recorded a run on Devecsery's RBI double.
The Bleu Devils gained ground, closing the gap to 13-5 until UAPB added some insurance in the seventh. Junior Aidan Martinez's run-scoring single brought home one run in a two-run output for the Golden Lions, bringing the score to 15-5 in favor of UAPB. The score remained 15-5 for the rest of the game, as the Golden Lions coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Lucas struck out six Bleu Devils hitters and Little fanned six for the Golden Lions.
» Every UAPB starter reached base safely in the win.
» The UAPB pitching staff combined to strike out 12 Dillard hitters.
» UAPB's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed eight runs across.
» UAPB took an 8-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Golden Lions out-hit the Bleu Devils at a 13-4 clip.
» Cohens stole three bases and Velez swiped two in Friday's game.
» The Golden Lions swiped eight bases as a team.
» UAPB went 11-for-23 (.478) with runners in scoring position.
» UAPB pitchers faced 32 Dillard hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and three fly balls while striking out 12.
» The Golden Lions drew six walks from Dillard pitching.
» Cohens led the Golden Lions at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two RBI.
The Golden Lions will be back in action tomorrow for a doubleheader against the Blue Devils. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.
#1Team1ROAR
