PINE BLUFF, Arkansas --The Golden Lions fought back from tied 4-4 in the eighth inning to win in thrilling fashion, rallying to secure a 5-4 walk-off victory in the 10th inning over the Alcorn State Braves Saturday at the Torii Hunter Complex.
Junior Jaxson Lucas got the win out of the bullpen for UAPB. The right-hander went 3.2 shutout innings, giving up one hit, no walks and striking out five. Junior Jacob Ehling started the ballgame and went six innings, surrendering one run on three hits, walking one and striking out three.
Offensively, the Golden Lions were led by junior Drew Cates, who went 1-for-2 on the day with three walks and two RBI. Junior Brad Mican put together a standout effort as well, going 1-for-3 with two RBI. Senior Brandon Simon also contributed for UAPB, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Lions put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Junior Ben VanMaanen came across to score the lone run of the inning for UAPB and get them on the board.
The Golden Lions then held the Braves scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. UAPB scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Cates, which brought the Golden Lions lead to 2-0.
UAPB's lead had disappeared by the time the seventh inning came around and turned into a 4-2 Alcorn State advantage, when the Golden Lions cut that deficit to 4-3. The Golden Lions added a run when Cates drew a walk from sophomore Payton that scored junior Micah Brown.
UAPB kept the Braves off the board before tying it up in the eighth. Junior MicKyren crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Golden Lions, tying the score at 4-4.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the tenth, when UAPB walked it off when senior Andre Greene came across to score.
GAME NOTES
» Lucas struck out five Braves hitters.
» UAPB's highest scoring inning was the tenth, when it pushed one run across.
» Ehling put together six innings of one-run ball for the Golden Lions.
The Golden Lions will be back in action Sunday, April 9 for the rubber match against Alcorn St. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
#1Team1ROAR
