The Prairie View A&M baseball team begins SWAC Conference play on Friday as the Panthers travel to face Bethune-Cookman in a three-game series at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.

First pitch for the series opener is set for 6:00 pm CT 

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -  Prairie View A&M enters the weekend 4-11 overall and looking to snap a four-game losing streak while opening conference action. The Panthers are still searching for their first road victory of the season after beginning the year 0-11 away from home.

Despite the record, Prairie View has shown offensive promise this season. The Panthers are batting .277 as a team and averaging 5.2 runs per game.
Leading the way offensively is Basilio Williams, who tops the team with a .396 batting average, 11 RBIs, and six stolen bases.

On the mound, redshirt junior Kenneth Haynes leads the pitching staff with 17 strikeouts in 17.0 innings, while the Panthers will look for improved command as the staff currently holds an 8.82 ERA.

Last Time Out
Prairie View A&M is coming off a 16-6 loss to Stetson Hatters on Wednesday despite a breakout performance from freshman Ryland Duson.

Duson paced the Panthers offensively, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, recording Prairie View's only extra-base hit of the game. Hunter Ham added two RBIs, while Corie Lockette reached base three times with a hit and two walks.

The Panthers rallied late in the contest, scoring three runs in the seventh inning to cut the deficit to 7-6 before Stetson pulled away with a late offensive surge.
On the mound, Ty Pankonin provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Scouting Bethune-Cookman
Bethune-Cookman enters the weekend with momentum after a 7-4 win over the North Florida Ospreys.

The Wildcats were sparked by Jeter Polledo, who is tied for the NCAA Division I lead in triples with four and leads the team with 20 RBIs. Polledo delivered a key two-run triple in the Wildcats' latest victory.

Bethune-Cookman's bullpen also impressed in the win, allowing just three earned runs over 8.2 innings, while Erick Almonte enters the series riding a five-game hitting streak.

Series History
This weekend marks the first-ever meeting between Prairie View A&M and Bethune-Cookman at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.  The programs have met just once previously, with Bethune-Cookman earning a neutral-site victory in 2024.

Weekend Schedule
Game 1: Friday – 6:00 p.m. CT
Game 2: Saturday - 2:00 p.m. CT
Game 3: Sunday - 5:00 p.m. CT

Prairie View A&M will look to use the start of conference play as an opportunity to reset its season and pick up momentum in SWAC competition.