One day after winning a pitchers’ duel, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff powered its way to a high-scoring win on Friday to clinch its final regular season series.
A trio of hitters had big days to lead the UAPB baseball team to a 13-7 win against Alabama A&M at Bulldog Baseball Field in Huntsville, Ala.
UAPB (18-32, 16-9 SWAC) center fielder Eli Gries-Smith hit 3 for 6 with 5 RBIs. Third baseman Trinidad De La Garza hit 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs, while middle infielder Collin McLemore hit 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs.
The Golden Lions scored 4 runs in the second inning, then added 2 runs in each of the next three. UAPB finished the game with a 3-run ninth.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Alabama A&M (10-39, 2-26) had four 1-run innings. The Bulldogs’ biggest frame was the bottom of the sixth, when Desmore Joseph hit an RBI single and Charles Morris hit a 2-RBI single.
Most of Alabama A&M’s runs were unearned after a rare six-error performance by UAPB’s defense. Starting pitcher Major Spence allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, in 2.0 innings. Brendan Hamlin (4-5) pitched the middle 4.0 innings and allowed 4 unearned runs before Emerson Lott earned his third save of the year by pitching the final 3.0 innings with 1 earned run.
UAPB battered Alabama A&M starter Nick Espinola (0-10) with 6 runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings. The Golden Lions, who outhit Alabama A&M 15-14, added 5 earned runs and 2 unearned runs against the Bulldog bullpen.
The series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, and it will be the final regular season game for both teams.