Birmingham, Ala. — Bouncing back from a tough loss to Alabama State Thursday, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions came out swinging Friday morning and made sure Bethune-Cookman's tournament was over for good, defeating the Wildcats 13-8 in an elimination game to stay alive in the SWAC Championship. UAPB's lineup erupted for 17 hits and scored in five different innings, including a massive seven-run eighth that put the game well out of reach. With the win, UAPB now faces Alabama State in a 3 o'clock semifinal this afternoon, needing to win two straight games to advance to the championship and face the winner of Florida A&M and Southern.
The Golden Lions wasted no time sending a message. Zach Wieder got things going in the first with a single to left center, and Aaron Grant followed with one up the middle to put runners at first and second. Lazaro Alvarado worked a four-pitch walk to load the bases, and Nick Hockemeyer drew another four-pitch walk to force in Wieder for an early 1-0 lead before the inning ended on a lineout.
After Bethune-Cookman tied it up and took the lead in the fourth, UAPB answered right back. Hockemeyer singled to third to start the frame, and Zyon Hamilton doubled down the left field line to score him and make it 2-0. Vinny Saumelllaid down a bunt single to advance the runners, and Konner Giddley executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to score Hamilton and push the lead to 3-0. The Golden Lions were moving runners and playing situational baseball at its best.
Bethune-Cookman battled back in the fourth and then exploded for six in the sixth to take an 8-3 lead, forcing UAPB into comeback mode. The Golden Lions never flinched. In the seventh, Jose Vasquez reached on a throwing error and alertly advanced to third. Weston Gingerich singled to right to set the table, and Wieder grounded out to center on a sacrifice fly to score Vasquez. Aaron Grant then doubled to center to plate Gingerich, and Lazaro Alvarado immediately followed with another double to center to score Grant. Three runs on three hits, and just like that UAPB had closed to within 8-6 going into the final frames.
The eighth inning was something special. Saumell led off with a single up the middle, and Giddley doubled down the left field line to put runners on second and third. Vasquez then ripped a two-run double down the left field line to tie the game at 8-8. Gingerich singled to left center to score Vasquez and give UAPB the lead for good, and Wieder followed with a single to keep the line moving. With two outs and the bases loaded, Hamilton singled to center and advanced to second on a muffed throw by the catcher, plating two more. Saumell then capped the seven-run frame with a two-RBI single to center to make it 13-8, sending the Golden Lions dugout into a frenzy.
Saumell was outstanding in this one, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored, coming through in the biggest moments. Grant finished 3-for-6 with a double and an RBI, contributing throughout the lineup all game long. Hamilton delivered three RBI on two hits with his two-out single in the eighth being one of the biggest swings of the afternoon. Vasquez was a force, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and sparking the decisive eighth with his two-run double. Giddley chipped in a double, a walk, a sacrifice bunt, and an RBI, doing all the little things that keep a rally alive.
On the mound, starter Ryland Morin worked three and two-thirds innings and Emerson Lott took over and bridged into the sixth before Brendan Hamlin came on with the game on the line to dominate the rest of the way, not allowing an earned run over three and two-thirds innings of relief while picking up the win.
Bethune-Cookman has been eliminated from the SWAC Tournament. The Golden Lions turn their full attention to Alabama State at 3 PM this afternoon with a championship berth on the line.
