Nearly four hours after the first pitch, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff wrapped up its second sweep of the season in high-scoring fashion.
The UAPB baseball team defeated Texas Southern 19-14 in the series finale at MacGregor Park in Houston.
UAPB (8-26, 6-6 SWAC) tallied 20 hits, tying its season high, to wrap up the series. The Golden Lions fell behind 2-0 early but scored 6 runs in the second inning, 7 in the third, 2 in the fourth and 4 in the fifth to take a commanding 19-6 lead.
Texas Southern (16-20, 10-5) fought back. Three relief pitchers combined to hold UAPB scoreless across the final four innings.
The Tigers turned a triple play in the seventh when pitcher Joshua Prieto caught a line drive inches off the ground and threw to first base to double off the runner who was there. The runner from third had run home off contact, so TSU easily tagged third base to complete the 1-3-5 triple play.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Meanwhile, TSU chipped away at the lead. UAPB took a 19-9 lead into the bottom of the seventh with a chance to end the game via run rule, but TSU plated three runs to extend the game. TSU added two runs in the ninth but couldn’t complete the comeback.
UAPB left fielder Gavin Terry led the Golden Lions with 5 RBI on 3 of 5 hitting with 3 runs. Centerfielder Eli Gries-Smith and starting pitcher Brant Voth, who also played designated hitter and catcher during the game, each drove in 3 runs. Second baseman Collin McLemore scored four times.
Voth hit a 3-run home run in the fourth inning, which was UAPB’s second of the game. Shortstop Jesus Riera led off the second with a solo shot. Riera finished 4 for 5.
TSU first baseman Damian Garcia led the Tigers’ offense with a dominant outing. He hit 6 for 6, including four home runs. He hit 2-run home runs in the first and seventh innings while hitting solo homers in the third and ninth. He also had a single and a double, finishing with 8 RBI and 4 runs.
Two other Tigers homered. Shortstop Bryce Hughes hit a 3-run home run in the fourth inning, while substitute right fielder Tyler Legendre hit a solo shot in the fifth.
Voth pitched the first 3.2 innings for UAPB, allowing 6 runs on nine hits and a walk. UAPB used four relievers, with Nate Monceaux pitching the final 2.1. He allowed 2 runs on three hits with one walk and one strikeout.
TSU used eight arms in the game, with starter James Malone lasting two innings after giving up 6 runs on seven hits. He had one walk and three strikeouts.
This was UAPB’s first sweep of Texas Southern since April 2016 in Pine Bluff. The Golden Lions won 4-0 on Friday and 11-8 in 10 innings on Saturday and have moved from 10th to sixth in the SWAC standings.