SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Closing out a historic weekend in the Windy City, Prairie View A&M University captured the finale of the Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic with an 8-7 win over Alabama A&M University on Sunday.
The victory capped the inaugural Chi-Town HBCU Baseball Classic weekend, highlighted by Saturday's historic game at Wrigley Field, and showcased the resilience of the Panthers as they finished strong.
Prairie View A&M (10-35, 6-18 SWAC) struck early and never trailed, holding off a late rally from Alabama A&M to secure the one-run victory. Kenneth Haynes (1-3) earned the win on the mound, delivering 6.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.
How It Happened
The Panthers wasted no time getting on the board, as Ethan Walker scored in the first inning to give Prairie View A&M a 1-0 lead they would not relinquish.
After the Bulldogs evened the score, the Panthers responded in the second inning with two runs, including an RBI single from DeShon Middleton to make it 3-1. Prairie View A&M added to its momentum in the third inning when Zacarias Salinas delivered a three-run home run, scoring Tyvon Moore and Ryland Duson to extend the lead to 6-1.
Alabama A&M battled back to cut the deficit to 6-4, but the Panthers added key insurance runs in the seventh inning as Salinas and Michael Burroughs each crossed the plate, pushing the lead to 8-4.
The Bulldogs mounted a late push with three runs, but Prairie View A&M held firm down the stretch to secure the 8-7 win and close out the weekend on a high note.
Game Notes
- Prairie View A&M never trailed after taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
- The Panthers' biggest inning came in the third (3 runs).
- Michael Burroughs recorded two extra-base hits.
- Basilio Williams stole two bases.
- Prairie View A&M hit .429 (3-for-7) with runners in scoring position.
- Panther pitchers faced 45 hitters, striking out four.
- The Panthers drew six walks.
- Salinas led the offense with a home run and three RBIs.
With the win, the Panthers close out a memorable and historic weekend celebrating HBCU baseball in Chicago, carrying momentum forward into the final stretch of the season.
