PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas — A nine‑run sixth inning proved decisive as Prairie View pulled away from Texas Southern for a 12–7 victory Sunday afternoon in a SWAC matchup at Tankersley Field.
The Tigers built an early lead and held momentum through the middle innings before Prairie View erupted offensively, sending 13 batters to the plate in the sixth to seize control of the game.
Texas Southern struck first in the opening inning, scoring on a heads-up baserunning play when Zachari Pace crossed the plate. The Tigers added runs in the third and fourth innings, highlighted by an RBI groundout from Pace and a solo home run by Evan Joubert, to take a 3–0 advantage.
Prairie View got on the board in the fourth on a sacrifice fly, but Texas Southern responded again in the sixth when Nate Lopez drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt, pushing the lead to 4–1.
The Panthers answered emphatically in the bottom of the inning. Michael Burroughs launched a three‑run home run, followed by solo homers from Zacarias Salinas and Ryland Duson as Prairie View scored nine runs to flip the game in its favor.
Texas Southern continued to battle and cut into the deficit in the seventh when Derek Gipson delivered a three‑run home run to right field, bringing the Tigers within three. However, Prairie View added two more runs in the bottom half of the inning to maintain separation.
Gipson led Texas Southern offensively, going 2‑3 with a home run and three RBIs. Joubert finished 2‑for‑5 with a home run and an RBI, while Byron Robinson and Zachari Pace each recorded multiple hits. Pace also scored and drove in a run.
Justin Mays started on the mound for Texas Southern and allowed one run over four innings while striking out five. Zac Laviage took the loss after allowing six runs in relief.
