LORMAN, MS --Senior Ben VanMaanen and senior Vinny Saumell each collected three RBIs to help power the UAPB Golden Lions past the Alcorn State Braves 18-5 on Friday.

Junior Kenny Fabian got the win for UAPB. The right-hander went 5.2 innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on seven hits, allowing five walks and striking out five. Junior Emerson Lott also pitched well, going 1.1 shutout innings without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out two.

Saumell went 1-for-4 at the plate with a double and a walk in addition to his three RBIs and VanMaanen put together a 1-for-3 day with a double and two walks, supplementing his three RBI performance for the Golden Lions. Junior Eli Gries-Smith compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Golden Lions got the scoring started early, putting three runs on the board in the top of the first inning. UAPB's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a three-run double off the bat of VanMaanen.

The Braves failed to push any runs across before the Golden Lions built on their lead in the third inning. The UAPB offense exploded for seven runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Gries-Smith, which brought the Golden Lions lead to 11-0.

Alcorn State narrowed UAPB's lead to 11-3 before the Golden Lions stretched the advantage to 18-3 in the eighth inning. The Golden Lions bats heated up in the inning, scoring seven runs, including a three-run double off the bat of Saumell. Alcorn State put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but UAPB still coasted to the 18-5 win.

GAME NOTES
» Gries-Smith had three base knocks in the game for UAPB.
» Fabian struck out five Braves hitters.
» UAPB's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed seven runs across.
» UAPB grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Golden Lions out-hit the Braves at an 11-9 clip.
» UAPB went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» The Golden Lions got four hits in eight at-bats with the bases loaded.
» UAPB pitchers faced 42 Alcorn State hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out eight.
» VanMaanen led the Golden Lions at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI.