PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Arkansas‑Pine Bluff scored the go‑ahead run in the bottom of the ninth inning to edge Texas Southern 5–4 on Saturday afternoon in a SWAC matchup at Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.
The Tigers rallied from an early four‑run deficit and took the lead late, but an unearned run in the final frame allowed the Golden Lions to walk it off.
Arkansas‑Pine Bluff jumped out quickly with three runs in the first inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Lazaro Alvarado and Konner Giddley. The Golden Lions added another unearned run in the second to extend the lead to 4–0.
Texas Southern answered in the third inning when Christopher Chavez delivered a two‑run single up the middle, scoring Miguel Morales and Nate Lopez to cut the deficit in half.
The Tigers continued to chip away and tied the game in the seventh on an RBI groundout by Zachari Pace that brought home Morales. Texas Southern then took its first lead of the game in the eighth when Byron Robinson singled to center field, driving in Chavez to make it 4–3.
Arkansas‑Pine Bluff forced extra pressure in the ninth and capitalized on a Texas Southern error, allowing the tying and winning runs to cross and seal the comeback victory.
Chavez led the Tigers offensively, finishing 3‑for‑4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Morales crossed the plate twice, while Robinson added an RBI hit. Nate Lopez also reached base and scored a run.
Jose Luccioni took the loss for Texas Southern after allowing two runs—both unearned—in 1 2/3 innings. Zac Laviage provided a strong relief effort, tossing seven innings and allowing just one earned run.
