A half-inning after Grambling State tied Friday’s softball series opener, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offense erupted to remain perfect in Friday SWAC games.
UAPB won 9-4 at the GSU Softball Complex in Grambling, La., to claim the opening game of a three-game series.
Grambling (8-19, 1-9 SWAC) tied the game at 4 in the bottom of the sixth inning off an RBI double by right fielder Ziya Donaldson.
The Lady Tigers had trailed since the Lady Lions scored four runs in the top of the first.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB (9-16, 4-4) hadn’t scored since the first but plated five runs in the top of the seventh to immediately retake the lead. Left fielder Ryen Gaddis scored the go-ahead run as catcher Angelina Rivas reached on an error.
Third baseman Janai Mathis added an RBI double before second baseman Janiah Wilson hit a two-RBI single.
Center fielder Cooper Chasney drove in the final run on a bases-loaded walk.
UAPB pitcher Kaydrian Fields (4-2) worked around a leadoff error in the bottom of the seventh to keep the Lady Tigers off the board as UAPB moved to 4-0 in SWAC series openers this season.
Fields pitched the complete game, allowing four runs on nine hits and three walks with two strikeouts.
Grambling pitcher Jaidan Richard (3-8) also went the distance but allowed nine runs on 11 hits and six walks with two strikeouts.
UAPB shortstop Lyric Perry led the offense after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning. Mathis and Wilson batted in two runs apiece.
Donaldson led the Grambling offense, hitting 2 for 2 with a walk, a run and an RBI.
UAPB and Grambling will finish their series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.