Pine Bluff, Ark. — Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Alcorn State 13-4 Friday in the first game of a Southwestern Athletic Conference softball doubleheader at Torii Hunter Softball Complex. The second game was suspended in the top of the seventh inning due to severe weather, with Alcorn leading 5-3 at the time. No resumption date has been announced.
UAPB took an early lead with two runs in the first inning. Centerfielder Chasney Cooper reached on an error and scored on Kamea Seunarine’s RBI single. Janai Mathis followed with a double, driving in another run. The Golden Lions extended their lead to 4-0 in the second after Ariana Gonzalez and Janiah Wilson singled, and Cooper delivered a two-run single, scoring Wilson.
Alcorn State responded in the third, scoring two runs on a throwing error by Wilson, which allowed Rajayla McBride to reach base and drive in two. UAPB answered immediately with a two-run home run by Perry, her first of the season, to push the lead to 6-2. The Braves narrowed the gap to 6-4 in the fourth, loading the bases before Karmen Bernard delivered a two-run single.
The sixth inning proved decisive for the Golden Lions. Seunarine hit her second home run of the game to make it 8-4. After a wild pitch scored two more runs, Wilson’s two-run single brought three more across, extending the lead to 13-4. Kaydrian Fields earned her first win of the season, pitching five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs. Danika Bryant closed the game with one inning pitched.
Seunarine finished 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBIs. Wilson went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Cooper was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Perry contributed a home run and double, with two RBIs. For Alcorn, Bernard led with a 2-for-2 effort, including two RBIs and a walk. Olison and Thompson each recorded a hit.
The series finale’s start time and date remain uncertain due to expected severe weather. Fans are encouraged to follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter for updates.
