The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team swept a two-game midweek series with Philander Smith University after defeating the Panthers 17-7 in seven innings Wednesday at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex in Pine Bluff.
UAPB (9-8) trailed 6-3 after three innings but scored 9 runs in the fourth and 4 in the fifth. Malachi Jeffries tied the game at 6 with an RBI triple, then scored on a wild pitch to give the Golden Lions their first lead of the game.
Philander Smith (1-14) got a run back in the top of the seventh, but UAPB pinch hitter Jose Rubalcava delivered a walk-off RBI single to centerfield to trigger the run-rule.
Jaxson Lucas (3-0) earned the win in relief of Jayden Brown, who gave up 6 runs in 2.2 innings with three of them being earned. Lucas pitched 1.1 innings with a strikeout and one hit allowed.
Trinidad De La Garza led the UAPB offense, hitting 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs and a run. Ben VanMaanen hit 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs. Donavan Noble and Brandon Simon each scored 3 runs.
This was UAPB’s second comeback in two days after trailing early in a 16-5 win over Philander Smith on Tuesday. The Golden Lions begin SWAC play Friday through Sunday with a three-game home series against Prairie View A&M.