The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions baseball team secured a 10-8 home victory over Little Rock on Tuesday, marking their second consecutive home win against the Trojans. The game, played in Pine Bluff, lasted three hours and 35 minutes.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff struggled early, failing to score through the first four innings despite singles from Jose Vasquez and Konner Giddley in the opening frame. Starting pitcher Ryland Morin began strongly with three consecutive strikeouts but later encountered difficulties as Little Rock built an 8-0 lead.
The Golden Lions began their comeback in the fifth inning. Blake Coleman, entering as a pinch hitter, doubled to left center to bring home Aaron Grant. Vasquez followed with a single that scored Coleman, cutting the deficit to 8-2.
In the sixth inning, Arkansas-Pine Bluff sent 11 batters to the plate and scored five runs. Zach Wieder walked and Matt Dworsky singled before a throwing error advanced both runners. After Dane Small walked to load the bases, Grant singled to drive in a run. Coleman added a two-run single, giving UAPB its first lead of the game. Vasquez completed the rally with another two-run single.
An additional run came in the seventh when Wieder scored on Grant’s sacrifice fly. In the eighth inning, Giddley and Ian Smith crossed home plate on unearned runs for insurance.
Brendan Hamlin (1-1) picked up the win out of the bullpen by pitching 3.2 shutout innings and allowing just one hit while striking out three batters. Offensively, Coleman reached base in all three plate appearances after coming off the bench and finished with two hits, including a double, along with three RBI and two runs scored.
Vasquez led from the leadoff spot by going 3-for-5 with three RBI while Wieder contributed three hits and scored twice.
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