The Arkansas-Pine Bluff softball team swept visiting Grambling State in a doubleheader on Thursday before rain swept away the series finale on Friday.
UAPB won the opener of the doubleheader by a 16-5 margin before a 13-2 victory in Game 2. Both games lasted just five innings.
In Game 1, UAPB pushed across eight runs in the first inning and six in the third, as well as single runs in the second and fourth. Makayla Hunter gave up five runs (two earned) in three innings of work before Karia Beth Hall closed out the game with two scoreless frames.
Offensively, Tonnay Hawkins led the Golden Lions with two hits, two runs and two RBI. Seven different players had one hit apiece. Alexandria Taylor and Paige Garcia scored three runs each. Garcia, Hunter and Delya Jackson all had two runs driven in.
Hall started in the circle for the nightcap. The freshman out of White Hall High School tossed three scoreless innings. Brianna Young wrapped up the game, allowing a run each in the fourth and fifth innings.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The UAPB offense pushed across five runs in the second inning, one in the third and seven in the fourth. The Lions only outhit Grambling (4-31, 1-16 SWAC) by a 7-4 margin, but the team also drew seven walks.
Hawkins had another stellar game at the plate. She finished 2 for 2, including an inside-the-park home run, with a walk, two runs scored and four RBI. The speedy leadoff hitter stole three bases total on the day.
Maria Aguilar was 1 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI and Lydia Mithcell finished 2 for 2 with a walk, three runs scored and two driven in for UAPB (15-33, 6-11).