Arkansas-Pine Bluff Wins Series Opener Over Alcorn State
Pine Bluff, Ark. — Arkansas-Pine Bluff limited Alcorn State to three hits Saturday afternoon to win the second game of a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference series at Torii Hunter Baseball Complex. The victory gives UAPB the series after they also won the opener Friday.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (12-17, 6-2 SWAC) scored in each of the first four innings. Alcorn starter Kayden Sutton struggled, allowing eight earned runs on three hits over two innings. Sutton took his fifth loss of the season, walking four and hitting four batters.
The Golden Lions took a 3-0 lead early and expanded it in the third inning. Ten batters came to the plate, and UAPB scored six runs. A series of hit batsmen and walks set up Blake Coleman’s two-run single to center field, making it 9-0. Ian Smith led the offense with a 2-for-3 effort, four RBIs, and a stolen base. Zach Wieder added a triple and two RBIs, finishing 2-for-5 with four RBIs overall.
Blake Coleman drove in three runs on one hit, while catcher Vinny Saumell contributed two hits, two RBIs, and a double. Leadoff hitter Jose Vasquez drew four walks, scored three times, and did not record an official at-bat. Second baseman Konner Giddley reached base four times and scored four runs.
Winning pitcher Kenney Fabian threw six effective innings, allowing one run on one hit with six strikeouts and one walk. Emerson Lott pitched the final inning. Alcorn (7-21, 1-7 SWAC) struggled offensively, managing only three hits and striking out eight times. They sparked a brief rally in the seventh when pinch hitter Clayvonjae Wright singled to score Kanious Davis, who had stolen two bases. The rally ended when Wright was thrown out at home to end the game.
Alcorn’s bullpen surrendered 10 runs over four innings in relief of Sutton, with relievers Nicholas Johnson, Myles Dews, and Garrett Oswald on the mound.
The series concludes Sunday at Torii Hunter Baseball Complex with a game scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports), Instagram (@AlcornSports), and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage.
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