The Golden Lions defeated Texas Southern 6-4 at home on April 17 to open a key three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) baseball series. The win brings Arkansas-Pine Bluff within one game of Texas Southern in the conference standings.
This matchup was important as the Golden Lions entered two games behind the Tigers and needed a strong performance to stay competitive in the SWAC race. Scoring in five of their first seven innings, Arkansas-Pine Bluff never trailed during the contest and improved its conference record to 11-5.
Kenney Fabian led on the mound, pitching six innings while allowing just one earned run on six hits. Fabian struck out five and walked one, holding off several threats from Texas Southern during critical middle innings. Brendan Hamlin closed out the final three frames with three hitless innings and three strikeouts, working through inherited baserunners against a left-handed heavy lineup late in the game.
Offensively, Zach Wieder stood out by going 3-for-5 with three doubles that helped set up scoring opportunities throughout the afternoon. Weston Gingerich contributed by going 2-for-3 with two runs batted in (RBI) and reaching base three times from his designated hitter spot. Jose Vasquez reached base multiple times as leadoff hitter, recording an RBI on a sacrifice fly and finishing with a hit and a walk. Konner Giddley added two hits and an RBI from ninth in the order, while Ian Smith came off the bench for a timely pinch-hit RBI single.
Additional contributions came from Nick Hockemeyer—who singled off the bench and stole a base—and Zyon Hamilton, who entered as a defensive replacement but also collected a hit. Lazaro Alvarado had moments at bat, while Vinny Saumell executed key plays including laying down a sacrifice bunt.
Despite committing three errors that led to three unearned runs for Texas Southern, Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s pitching staff limited further damage to secure victory. The teams will meet again Saturday at 11:30Â a.m., with Arkansas-Pine Bluff aiming to even or surpass Texas Southern in SWAC standings.
