An early lead in SEC territory only lasted a couple of innings for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team on Tuesday.
UAPB dropped its first road game of the season 15-1 in seven innings to the University of Missouri in the opener of a two-game midweek series at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo.
Missouri (6-2) trailed 1-0 entering the bottom of the third inning of its home opener. Second baseman Blaize Ward, a Maumelle native, led off with a double, the first hit allowed by UAPB starting pitcher Jack Hasten (0-1).
The Tigers went on to load the bases with a single and a walk before Hasten hit right fielder Pierre Seals with a pitch and walked first baseman Sam Parker to give Mizzou a 2-1 lead.
UAPB (4-5) replaced Hasten with Reagan James, who traded ground ball outs for two runs before Mizzou shortstop Eric Maisonet hit an RBI single. James then walked Ward before getting a third ground ball to end the inning with the Tigers leading 5-1.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Hasten finished his first start of the season having allowed five runs on two hits and three walks. James went on to complete three relief innings but allowed four runs on three hits and five walks before a parade of three other relievers began, which included Pine Bluff native Landon Holcomb making his first appearance in a college baseball game.
Missouri catcher Mateo Serna hit a solo home run in the fifth before the Tigers plated nine runs in the sixth to move into run-rule position.
Serna hit 2 for 5 with four RBI and two runs, with designated hitter Jase Woita adding a three-run home run in the sixth. Leadoff hitter and center fielder Tyler Macon hit 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs.
UAPB led three hitters into the game. Second baseman Konner Giddley was hit by a pitch to lead off and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt from shortstop Zach Wieder. Third baseman Ian Smith followed with an RBI single to give the Golden Lions a 1-0 edge.
The early offense dried up quickly. Mizzou starter JD Dohrmann (1-0) retired 17 of the final 18 hitters he faced, allowing just a walk to center fielder Dane Small in the fifth. Dohrmann struck out five batters in six innings before reliever Dane Bjorn retired three of four hitters in the top of the seventh to close out the game.
The Tigers outhit the Golden Lions 8-1 while drawing 12 walks and striking out once. Holcomb delivered the lone strikeout with the game long out of reach. UAPB hitters struck out six times and walked twice.
UAPB and Mizzou will conclude their short series at 1 p.m. Wednesday on SEC Network+.