BOX SCORE

The Panthers scored nine runs in two innings in the effort of trying to forge a miraculous comeback, but Prairie View A&M still fell short in a 12-9 loss to Houston Baptist Tuesday afternoon at Panther Field.

Facing a 12-0 deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Panthers finally showed signs of life offensively thanks to a Brad Benes solo homer with two outs. Three at bats later Evan Richard had a two RBI double. This was followed by a RBI double by Sterling Smith to cap off a four-run fourth inning for Prairie View A&M.

The Panthers added five runs in the seventh inning and were sparked by a Michael Long RBI triple to score James Fontenot. The inning was capped off by a Smith 2 RBI single to score Robert Cossey and Dominiq Harris. Prairie View had reduced a 12-0 HBU lead to 12-9 in a matter of two innings, but it failed to put any more runs on the board as the “Cardiac Cats” were put down and held scoreless by Huskies relievers Michael Schulle and Kobie Hajdik.

“We had a funky start,” Prairie View A&M coach Waskyla Cullivan said. “We did fight back, but it was just too much to overcome.”

The Panthers lost despite tallying 14 hits against HBU. Benes went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a base on ball. Smith finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs, and Brandon Brooks had three hits in five attempts.

Panthers starter Sean Hollis dropped to 1-3 after surrendering nine hits and eight runs in 2 2/3 innings, and HBU starter Curtis Jones was rewarded the win. He went 5 2/3 innings, giving up six hits, four runs (all earned) and one base on ball with four strikeouts.

The Panthers will take a break from conference weekend play in order to face 2011 Super Regional contender and formerly ranked Dallas Baptist University (17-9). The Panthers (18-11, 9-2 SWAC) hit the road and will start the three-game series at 3 p.m. on Friday with a double-header in Dallas. They finish off the series at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

“I told the players that Dallas Baptist will be tough,” Cullivan said. “I want to go down there and at least win one or two from them to show that we can compete. I told them to treat this Dallas Baptist series like a regional. They are one of the top programs in the state.”