PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions opened their home series against Stephen F. Austin with a gritty 6-3 victory on Friday afternoon, rallying from behind and scoring four runs over the final three innings to secure the win in front of 125 fans under sunny skies.
UAPB wasted little time getting on the board in the third inning. Third baseman Ian Smith got things started with a single up the middle, and with two outs, Konner Giddley swiped second base to put runners in scoring position. Blake Coleman then came through in the biggest moment of the early innings, lacing a two-run single to right center that plated both Smith and Giddley to give the Golden Lions a 2-1 lead and all the momentum on their home diamond.
Starter Jalen Porter was solid through five innings, holding SFA to just one earned run while allowing three total — two of which were unearned. Porter finished with five innings pitched, five hits allowed, and two strikeouts, giving UAPB every opportunity to respond after SFA briefly reclaimed a 3-2 lead in the sixth.
With UAPB trailing 3-2, the Golden Lions answered in the bottom of the seventh. Dane Small reached on a hit-by-pitch, and Ian Smith delivered the go-ahead blow — a run-scoring double down the left field line that scored Small and swung the game back in UAPB's favor. Konner Giddley followed immediately with an RBI single up the middle to plate Smith and push the lead to 4-3.
UAPB tacked on two more in the eighth to put the game away. Blake Coleman singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Lazaro Alvarado. Jose Vasquez then reached on a hit-by-pitch, and Dane Small delivered again — singling and advancing on an SFA error that allowed both Coleman and Vasquez to score. Small finished 1-for-3 with two RBI, while Coleman went 2-for-4 with two RBI in the victory.
Reliever Reagan James was dominant over the final four innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four and walking none. James improved to 2-0 on the season and was the decisive factor in the Golden Lions holding off the Lumberjacks down the stretch.
UAPB totaled nine hits, led by Ian Smith (2-for-3, double, RBI, 2 runs), Konner Giddley (2-for-4, RBI), Blake Coleman (2-for-4, 2 RBI), and Dane Small (1-for-3, 2 RBI). Matt Dworsky added a hit and a stolen base. On the mound, Jalen Porter gave five quality innings and Reagan James (W, 2-0) locked down the win with four scoreless frames.
The Golden Lions will look to keep the momentum rolling in Game 2 & 3 against Stephen F. Austin tomorrow at 11 AM and 2 PM.