For the fourth time early in the season, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team fell a run short.
UAPB lost 4-3 to Abilene Christian in the opening game of a four-game weekend series at Crutcher Scott Field in Abilene, Texas.
UAPB (0-9) trailed 4-1 entering the ninth inning. After right fielder Dane Small hit a pop up for the first out, the next four Golden Lion batters delivered hits. The fourth hit was a bases loaded 2-RBI double from catcher Vinny Saumell to score left fielder Carlos Rodriguez-Velez and center fielder Eli Gries-Smith.
That hit made it a 1-run game with pinch runner Kentavious Veal representing the tying run at third base and Saumell representing the go-ahead run at second base.
ACU (4-5) closer Brady Coe, who had entered the game at the start of the inning, settled in and stranded both runners where they stood with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game and earn his second save of the season.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Coe had relieved starter Dominick Ried (2-0), who allowed 1 run in 8.0 innings on four hits. He struck out nine batters with no walks.
UAPB starter Kenney Fabian (0-3) lasted 5.0 innings, allowing 3 runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Relievers Steffan Fak and Emerson Lott combined to hold the Wildcats to 1 run on one hit over the final three innings.
Saumell and first baseman Brant Voth each hit 2 for 4 for UAPB. Shortstop Jesus Riera had the only RBI other than Saumell’s 2 after he hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning to give UAPB an early 1-0 lead.
ACU first baseman Grant Watkins led the Wildcats at the plate, hitting 2 for 2 with 2 RBI and 2 runs. He answered Riera’s solo shot with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the second. ACU added a run each in the sixth and eighth innings.
UAPB and ACU will resume their series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1:05 p.m.