The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team defeated Philander Smith University 16-5 in seven innings Tuesday at the Torii Hunter Complex in the first of two midweek games against the Panthers. The teams will meet again at 2 p.m. today.
UAPB (8-8) trailed 2-0 midway through the first inning. In the bottom of the first, Ben VanMaanen and Darrius Brown hit RBI singles to tie the game. Carlos Rodriguez-Velez followed Brown’s hit with a 3-run homer to give the Golden Lions a 5-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
UAPB went on to lead 10-2 before Philander Smith (1-13) scored again with a solo home run by leadoff hitter Juan Zorola in the sixth.
The Golden Lions put their opponent from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics away with a 6-run bottom of the sixth. PSU got 2 runs back in the top of the seventh on a homer by Chandler Morrow but couldn’t close the gap as UAPB completed the run-rule victory.
Chris Bedgood (1-1) started the game for UAPB, holding the Panthers to 2 runs on 1 hit. He struck out 5 hitters, walking 2.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Lady Lions sweep Central Baptist
The UAPB softball team swept Tuesday’s doubleheader against Central Baptist College, winning 3-0 and 7-0 at the Torii Hunter Complex.
In the first game, UAPB (8-11) third baseman Amari Broughton hit 2-for-2 with 2 RBI, while Pine Bluff native Tyrah Elerby hit 2-for-4 and scored 2 runs.
Freshman pitcher Heidi Price (1-3) earned her first win after holding Central Baptist (10-12) to two hits and a walk in seven innings. She struck out four batters.
In the second game, first baseman Ariana Gonzalez hit 2-for-3 with 4 RBI and a run. Both hits were doubles. Janai Mathis and Jada Carhee scored 2 runs each.
Freshman Kayla Adams (5-4) struck out 16 hitters without a walk in seven innings. She also held Central Baptist to 2 hits.