PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions used a couple of big innings to take an eight-run lead Friday en route to a seven-inning, 11-1 win over Prairie View A&M.
 
Jordan Knox' three-run home run in the bottom of the third highlighted a five-run inning for the Golden Lions (2-14), who improved to 2-2 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.
 
Prairie View A&M (6-10) saw its record in the SWAC's West Division fall to 3-3.
 
Nick Gurka knocked a leadoff double for the Panthers in the game's first at-bat, and later scored when Pine Bluff pitcher Anthony Bowmaker's pickoff attempt resulted in an error.
 
Bowmaker's errant pickoff throw in the first inning was one of his few mistakes in the game, as he scattered only five hits and struck out nine batters over six and two-thirds innings.
 
PVAMU's starting pitcher Charles Philpott absorbed the loss for the Panthers, though only four of the nine runs he gave up over three and one-thirds innings was earned. Jordan Johnson gave up two runs over three innings of relief for the Panthers.
 
The Panthers extended the Pine Bluff third with an error that allowed both runners on base to score and give the Golden Lions a 2-1 lead with one out. A fielder's choice resulted in PVAMU's second out of the inning, meaning all runs scored by Pine Bluff in the third were unearned.
 
Prairie View A&M got hits from Kevin Macias, Darrien Williams, Edgar Sanchez and Brashad Jones in addition to Gurka's double. Williams ran his hitting streak to eight games while Gurka continued a 12-game streak of reaching base safely.
 
The Panthers and Golden Lions return to the diamond of the Torii Hunter Complex on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.