PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Arkansas-Pine Bluff gutted out a back-and-forth battle at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex on Friday afternoon, holding off Alcorn State for an 8-7 victory in Game 1 of the SWAC series. The Golden Lions improved to 11-17 overall and 5-2 in conference play with the win.
UAPB struck first in the bottom of the first when Jose Vasquez reached on a single and took advantage of a throwing error to advance to second before stealing third. With two outs, Vasquez came home on a stolen base to put the Golden Lions on the board early, 1-0.
The fourth inning was where the game truly turned in UAPB's favor. With the score tied at one, the Golden Lions sent nine batters to the plate and pushed five runs across to take command. Ian Smith drew a walk and Zyon Hamilton singled to put two runners on. A pair of passed balls moved both runners up, setting the table for Jose Vasquez to walk with the bases loaded and force in a run. Another passed ball plated a second runner before Zach Wieder drew a walk to reload the bases. Blake Coleman then delivered the big blow of the inning, singling to shortstop to drive in two. Aaron Grant followed with an RBI single through the left side to push the lead to 6-1.
Alcorn State answered in the fifth with a six-run inning to flip the script and take the lead, chasing starter Jalen Porter and putting UAPB behind 7-6 heading into the late innings. Porter finished his outing with 4.0 innings pitched, allowing two earned runs on two hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
Reagan James came out of the bullpen and was the steadying force the Golden Lions needed, taking over in the fifth and not allowing an earned run the rest of the way. James worked 5.0 innings, scattering six hits and striking out three to earn the victory and improve to 3-2 on the season.
UAPB scratched back in the seventh when Zyon Hamilton ripped an RBI double to even the score at seven. The Golden Lions then took the lead for good in the eighth as Blake Coleman laced a triple to center field and Aaron Grant followed with an RBI single to score him. Joe Adams added insurance on a bunt single before Reagan James slammed the door shut in the ninth with three quick outs to secure the 8-7 final.
Coleman and Grant each went 2-for-4 with key run-producing hits throughout the contest. Hamilton finished 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the seventh. Jose Vasquez reached base three times and scored twice, while Ian Smith scored twice from the bottom of the order.
Game 2 of the series is set for tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.
