Prairie View A&M swept a doubleheader over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday as they captured a 10-9 comeback win in the opener followed by a decisive 15-5 victory in game two on Saturday afternoon at Panther Field.
In game one, several Panthers took one for the team as three batters were hit in the seventh which ultimately led to the winning run for a 10-9 margin.
Prairie View stormed out the gates to begin the contest as junior pitcher Michael Listi held the Golden Lions to just two hits through three innings of action while PV got off to a hot start offensively with home runs from Rafael Perez and Giovanni Angel for an early 4-1 lead.
However, UAPB wouldn't go out quietly as the Golden Lions woke up in the fourth frame with a six-hit, eight-run outburst en route to earning a 9-4 advantage. PV would respond instantly as the they cut away at the deficit by scoring three runs in their at-bat in the fourth with Angel getting the ball rolling for the Panthers by nailing a shot between the gap of the infield to score leadoff hitter Colby Hines. Facing two outs, junior catcher Evan Richard stepped to the plate and finalized PV's flurry with a deep hit to the center field wall which brought home Angel and second baseman Andre Oliver for a 9-7 deficit.
Prairie View would turn up the defense as they held UAPB scoreless the remainder of the way as pitcher Daniel Castillo earned the shutout after allowing only three hits in five innings. The Panthers knotted the contest up at 9-all in the sixth frame as Kyle Bible hit a bases-loaded single to left field which turned into an extra base after an overthrow by the UAPB defense. As a result, both Perez and Richard scored.
UAPB experienced a walk on the wild side in the seventh as two batters were hit coupled with a single by Angel to load the bases. Prairie View's James Rodriguez was credited with bringing in the winning run as he was hit for a 10-9 margin.
With the win, Castillo advanced to 3-0 on the year at the mound. Richard finished the contest 2-of-3 at the plate while accounting for two RBIs. Giovanni added three RBIs while concluding the competition hitting 3-of-5. Third baseman Sal Hernandez also added a pair of RBIs as he finished 2-of-5.
Prairie View kept their foot on the gas and never let up as they pounded out 15 hits to run-rule UAPB 15-5 in the nightcap.
The Panthers never trailed this time around opening up the contest with a 6-0 lead after three innings. UAPB couldn't find any type of consistency from their bullpen as seven pitchers saw action. Prairie View built a decisive 9-2 lead in the sixth frame before closing out their opposition in the eighth inning with four runs to trigger the 10-run rule.
With the sweep, Prairie View improves its overall record to 23-15 on the year while their SWAC mark stands at 11-9.
The Panthers will conclude their three-game homestand against UAPB on Sunday as the series finale begins at 1 p.m.
