PINE BLUFF, Ark. – On some timely hitting and clutch pitching in the seventh inning propelled Prairie View A&M baseball team to its first win of the three-game series defeating the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, on Friday, 11-8.     

The Panthers took a quick lead in the top of the first, using a leadoff single by senior Daniel Lingua to set up freshman Alex Martinez later in the inning.  The slugger drilled an RBI double to left field, putting PVAMU up 1-0. A single to left field by junior Dalton Horner scored Martinez for the back-to-back score. Junior Avery Williams doubled to left center field and allowed Horner to come home, closing out the frame with a PV 3-0 lead.

PVAMU struck again in the top of the second, as junior Andrew Garcia scored the lone run for the Panthers.  Garcia opened the frame with a single to right field to begin the base running.  Lingua followed behind with a single up the middle to score Garcia for a home touch.

The Golden Lions rallied in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on a couple of hiccups by the Panthers.  A scoreless third inning didn't keep the Panthers down long as Lingua used his ability to get on base again to set up the scoring in the top of the fourth.  Lingua singled to left field, before Martinez hit a single to right field scoring Lingua for a second time.  A double to center field by sophomore Calvin Rucker, brought around Horner who reached base on a fielder's choice to give the team a 6-3 lead.

The Golden Lions added a run in their half of the fourth.  With another scoreless inning for both teams, UAPB took advantage in the bottom of the sixth adding three more runs to take a 7-6 lead over the Panthers.

The Panthers used a seventh inning five run rally to take an 11 run lead.  Lingua set up the Panthers with the running hitting a single to right field, before junior Tyler Gordon was hit by pitch placing runners on each corner.  With a walk by Martinez this loaded the bases for Horner who also reached base on a hit by pitch to score Lingua.  The Golden Lions looked to get out of the threat with a pitching change, but due to a UAPB fielding error in the next play, Martinez and Gordon both touched home plate for two quick scores and a 9-7 lead. Junior Xavier Jefferson crushed a single to center field driving both Rucker and Horner giving the Panthers a good 11-7 lead.

UAPB posted one run in the ninth inning, but weren't able to capitalize, allowing PVAMU to take game one.

Lingua led all batters on the day going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Horner, Jefferson and Martinez all gathered two RBI apiece. 

Sophomore Lorenzo Hardit upped his record 2-4 tossing just 2.2 innings while surrendering just one hit and one earned run.  He struck out two in the contest.  Cameron Cooper received the save allowing no runs, no walks and striking out two.

The Panthers will play game two against UAPB on Saturday, April 6 with a 11 a.m., start in Pine Bluff, Ark.