After splitting Sunday’s doubleheader, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Grambling State each turned to their winning pitchers for Monday’s finale.
UAPB sophomore Kayla Adams won the pitcher’s duel, powering UAPB to a 2-0 series-clinching win at the Torii Hunter Softball Complex.
Adams said after UAPB (5-15, 3-3 SWAC) won Sunday’s opener but lost the second game, she came into Monday wanting to back up her teammates and clinch the series.
“We need to not let them have it,” Adams said. “We need to open a can and let it go. Let’s get out, just come at them. Get that redemption.”
In seven innings, Adams (4-6) allowed one hit and two walks with 12 strikeouts. GSU leadoff hitter Katelynn Walls hit a single to start the game, but Adams retired the next seven batters she faced. The Lady Tigers never had multiple base runners in an inning.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Adams faced the minimum in the second and fifth innings, giving up a walk each in the third and fourth. Grambling (6-16, 1-4) got runners on base via errors in the sixth and seventh.
GSU starter Erin Gibbs (3-5) pitched the Lady Tigers’ win Sunday. She held UAPB to 2 runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and a walk this time around.
The game remained 0-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning when UAPB junior Lyric Perry hit a two-out solo home run to center field. The Lady Lions had stranded five runners in the first three innings before Perry’s breakthrough.
Adams said Perry’s go-ahead home run gave her more momentum in the circle.
“To know that my teammates have my back in the box, as well, that just said, hey, I gotta dig deep and keep going,” Adams said.
UAPB added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Catcher Kaitlyn Neely led off with a single, then later scored from second base when designated player Allyncia King hit a single off the left field wall.
Grambling had a chance to rally in the seventh inning when third baseman Cadashia Collins reached second base on a dropped fly ball with one out. Adams struck out the final two hitters to end the game. The first of the two came on a called strike three, her fifth strikeout looking of the game.
UAPB coach Michael Bumpers said Adams has been pitching better in her second outing of a series than her first so far this season. Adams had nine strikeouts with six walks and four hits in her win Sunday.
“She is getting stronger,” Bumpers said. “If we can get day one like day two, then I think we’re going to do some things that’s special this year for UAPB softball.”
UAPB third baseman Janai Mathis hit 3 for 4. Right fielder Angelina Rivas hit 2 for 3, bringing her total in this series to 6 for 7.