For the third consecutive SWAC game, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offense put double digits on the scoreboard Thursday.
The UAPB baseball team defeated Southern University 15-1 in seven innings to win the first game of a three-game series at the Torii Hunter Complex. Coach Logan Stout said the Golden Lions have been hitting balls hard all season but had bad luck bounces early in the year.
“In my 25 years as a head coach, I don’t know how many triple plays I’ve seen, but we’ve lined into two of them,” Stout said. “It’s just been crazy how the ball’s just not bounced our way. On the other side of it, just better approaches. We’re not striking out, and when you put pressure on the defense, the ball’s typically going to find a way to bounce your way, and we’re doing a much better job of that here in this back half of the season.”
UAPB (9-27, 7-6 SWAC) outhit the Jaguars 16-6. Designated hitter Carlos Rodriguez-Velez, right fielder Dane Small and catcher Brant Voth each drove in 3 RBI. Centerfielder Eli Gries-Smith and third baseman Trinidad De La Garza joined Rodriguez-Velez in tallying three hits apiece, while left fielder Gavin Terry led the team with 3 runs scored.
Right-handed pitcher Kenney Fabian (2-6) pitched his longest outing of the season, throwing all seven innings. He held Southern to 1 run on 6 hits with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. Fabian has allowed 1 total run in his past 13 2/3 innings and entered the game as a reigning SWAC co-pitcher of the week.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Stout said Fabian has matured in his past two starts.
“I think people forget that we’re very young in regards to playing at this level,” Stout said. “We don’t have many guys on this roster that have ever played at this level. So, I think more confidence comes with more experience, and I think that’s what we’re all seeing.”
Southern (15-21, 7-9) scored its lone run in the top of the fifth inning. Left fielder Cardell Thibodeaux, who leads the SWAC in batting average, hit an RBI triple to drive in third baseman Kelcey White. Thibodeaux finished 1 for 4.
UAPB scored 8 runs in the first inning on 8 hits. Rodriguez-Velez hit 2 singles for a combined 3 RBI in the inning, while Voth hit a 2-RBI double.
The Golden Lions sent 12 hitters to the plate with seven of the first eight tallying hits. Southern starting pitcher Ranard Grace (1-6) was pulled after Gries-Smith, the 11th hitter, drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 8-0. The inning ended on a baserunning mistake after reliever Stephen Tolbert gave up a 2-RBI single to Rodriguez-Velez.
Grace allowed 8 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks with 1 strikeout.
The Golden Lions went on to score 2 runs in the second inning, 3 in the third and 2 in the fourth. Southern relievers Kiki Ford Jr. and Charles Green combined to pitch the final 2 2/3 innings without allowing a hit or a run.
Thursday’s 15-run outburst came after UAPB scored 11 runs and 19 runs in its prior two SWAC games, both against Texas Southern as part of a three-game sweep. Small, who hit 2 for 3, said the Golden Lions have had more timely hitting in recent games.
“We have runners on and better approaches with runners in scoring position,” Small said. “Getting guys in, maybe hitting a gap shot or so, but getting extra base hits, and we’re able to run around the bases, get some guys in. It’s really helping us so far.”
UAPB hit five extra-base hits, all doubles. De La Garza hit two.
Game two of the series is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday.