PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Briana Knowles and Amanda Ford combined for four hits to lead PVAMU to its fourth straight win as they defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 5-3 in the series opener Friday afternoon.

PVAMU scored twice in the first as Shelby Williams drew a leadoff walk, stole second and scored on Briana Knowles' RBI single for a 1-0 lead. Knowles scored the team's second run on a passed ball.

Knowles continued her hot streak as she led the third off with a triple and upped the score to 3-0 after Kylar Ward-Flowers' RBI double.

Freshman pitcher Ashley Higgins kept UAPB at bay as she held them scoreless until the fifth and sixth frames as the Lady Lions scored once in each inning to trail 3-2 entering the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, the Lady Panthers picked up some much-needed insurance runs as Laurisa Hernandez hit a two-run homer for a 5-2 lead which was huge as UAPB crossed home a run in the seventh.

Knowles and Amanada Ford led PVAMU with two hits apiece while Knowles and Shelby Williams scored twice. Higgins went the distance as she struck out four.

The series concludes Saturday with a noon doubleheader.