Once again, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff softball team was unable to turn a Friday win into a series win.
UAPB lost 17-12 and 6-3 to Grambling State on Saturday at the GSU Softball Complex in Grambling, La., dropping its third straight series.
UAPB (9-18, 4-6 SWAC) scored the second-most runs it has in a game this season in Saturday’s first game, but the Lady Tigers’ offense was too much. GSU scored three runs in the first inning, four in the second, three in the third and five in the fourth before adding two in the sixth.
Grambling (10-19, 3-9) right fielder Ziya Donaldson hit 2 for 3 and walked twice, finishing with a team-high four RBI. Five other Lady Tigers had two or more RBIs, with leadoff hitter Ahsunte’ Specks scoring a team-leading four runs.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB infielder Lyric Perry hit 3 for 3 with five RBI and 3 runs to lead the Lady Lions in game one.
With the series on the line in the finale, UAPB turned to Friday starter Kaydrian Fields (4-3), who entered the day 4-0 in SWAC games. She held Grambling to 1 run over the first three innings but faded late. She exited the game with two outs in the sixth inning after the Lady Tigers had scored 3 in the inning to break a 3-3 tie.
UAPB transfer Jada Carhee scored the go-ahead run for Grambling after stealing second and drawing two throwing errors by UAPB players. Donaldson added a two-RBI single for insurance.
GSU pitcher Hailei Harrell (3-5) went the distance, allowing three runs on 10 hits with five walks and four strikeouts to deliver Grambling’s first series win of the season. The Lady Lions led 2-0 after first baseman Danika Bryant hit a two-run home run in the first, but Harrell held UAPB to one run the rest of the game.