A perfectly executed squeeze play allowed the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team to finish a Friday afternoon comeback.
UAPB took the lead in the eighth inning and held on in the ninth to defeat Alcorn State 8-7 in the opening game of a three-game series at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.
Designated hitter Joe Adams, the first hitter to face Alcorn reliever Hayden Konkler (1-1) out of the bullpen, bunted with one out and runners at first and third base in the bottom of the eighth inning. Right fielder Blake Coleman, who hit a one-out triple earlier in the inning, slid home to beat the throw to give UAPB an 8-7 lead.
Coleman, who reached base five times with two hits and two RBI, said the Golden Lions plan worked perfectly.
“We already knew we were bunting as soon as the new pitcher came in the game,” Coleman said. “As soon as I saw the bunt down, it was a great bunt by Joe Adams, just came in, came through. Perfect timing.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The game-winning squeeze came one inning after UAPB (11-17, 5-2 SWAC) tied the game on an RBI double by center fielder Zyon Hamilton.
Most of Friday’s runs came over the span of one inning. With the game tied at 1, UAPB plated five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take its first lead of the day. Coleman contributed a two-RBI single in the inning which chased Alcorn starter Devin Kriley. Shortstop Aaron Grant added an RBI single on the next at-bat against reliever Jose Cherena.
Alcorn State (7-20, 1-6) responded with a six-run top of the fifth. UAPB starting pitcher Jalen Porter walked the first two hitters before exiting after a visit from the trainer. It was the second straight start he has left early after the trainer was called out.
Lions Coach Logan Stout said last week Porter was one of several players cramping. This week, Stout said he thinks the colder weather played a role.
“We had a long half-inning where we scored five runs,” Stout said. “It took about 35 minutes, and I think he just got cold, if I’m being honest. That’s something that he’s gotta learn. You gotta stay loose, man. You can’t just sit over here when it’s cold.”
Porter allowed two earned runs on two hits, four walks and three strikeouts on a day MLB scouts were present to watch him.
Right-handed reliever Reagan James (3-1), who had just started warming up in the bullpen, came in and struggled early in his outing, walking his first two hitters and giving up an RBI single before recording the first out of the inning.
Designated hitter Julian Jarrett provided the big hit of the inning. Both outfields spent much of the game playing shallow due to the wind, which was blowing in from outfield. Jarrett laced a ball over the outfielders against the wind for a three-RBI double to give the Braves a 7-6 lead.
After his rough start, James went on to finish the game. He held the Braves scoreless across the final four innings and retired the last eight hitters he faced. He ended the game by striking out second baseman Jaylyn Bennett, who had been 3 for 4 at the plate until that at-bat.
Stout said he was proud of how James finished the game.
“He came in and was awful, and he ended up finishing the game,” Stout said. “We had (Brendan) Hamlin down in the pen, our closer, and I wanted Reagan to know how much we believed in him. You’re going to finish the game, dude.”
James did not walk another hitter after walking the first two and finished with three strikeouts.
His efforts kept the rest of UAPB bullpen available for the rest of the series. Game two will be at 2 p.m. Saturday.