Three times on Wednesday, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team came from behind to tie the game.
UAPB couldn’t do it a fourth time as it dropped the second game of its midweek series with host UA Little Rock 7-5 at Gary Hogan Field, splitting the series after winning in Pine Bluff on Tuesday.
UAPB (1-16) trailed 2-0, 3-2, and 5-3. The Golden Lions managed to tie each time during a game of more than 3.5 hours.
Little Rock (7-10) took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth inning. Designated hitter Zach Henry drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single, followed by an RBI double by catcher Ty Rhoades. Both came with no outs.
After escaping the inning with a strikeout and a double play, UAPB got a leadoff single from left fielder Carlos Rodriguez-Velez. A two-out single by third baseman Jaylon Nauden put the tying run on base, but Little Rock pitcher Jack Cline (3-1) got a ground ball to end the game.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Cline, normally a weekend starter for the Trojans, entered the game in relief with shortstop Jesus Riera on first base and no outs in the top of the eighth inning. Although Riera went on to score on a passed ball to tie the game, Cline was not responsible for any runs while pitching the final two innings and holding UAPB to two hits and a walk with a strikeout.
UAPB also used a weekend starter in relief, Brendan Hamlin (0-4). He pitched one inning and allowed 1 run on 1 hit. He entered the game with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh but escaped the inning with no runs scoring, keeping it a 5-4 game at the time.
Hamlin was among the seven pitchers UAPB used Wednesday, with starter Jaedon Willis’ 2 1/3 innings being the longest outing. The Trojans used five arms, with starter Malcolm Brown pitching four shutout innings with two hits and four strikeouts.
Nauden led UAPB’s offense, hitting 3 for 5 with an RBI. Three other Golden Lions had an RBI apiece, including catcher Brant Voth, who hit 2 for 4 with two doubles and a walk.
Rhoades led the Trojans with 4 RBI on 3-of-3 hitting. Third baseman Sammy Harris hit 1 for 2 with 2 RBI.
Neither team committed an error. Little Rock outhit UAPB 10-7.
UAPB will begin SWAC play with a three-game series Friday through Sunday against Florida A&M in Tallahassee.