UAPB Softball: Lady Lions Take Series Over Western Illinois at Home
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PINE BLUFF, AR. — The UAPB Golden Lions softball team opened its home slate with a strong showing Friday at the Torii Hunter Baseball and Softball Complex, taking two of three games from Western Illinois to win the series.
GAME 1: UAPB 5, Western Illinois 3
UAPB rallied late to secure a 5-3 victory in the series opener.
Trailing 3-2 in the sixth inning, the Lady Lions plated three runs to regain control and never looked back.
Karis Stewart (1-0) earned the win in relief, tossing three shutout innings while allowing just one hit with two walks and one strikeout.
At the plate, Ryen Gaddis led the way, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Angelina Rivas also finished 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, while Fields added a hit and drove in two runs.
How It Happened
UAPB struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Shakaidria Hubbard crossed the plate to give the Lady Lions a 1-0 lead.
After Western Illinois tied the game, UAPB reclaimed the advantage in the third as Janiah Wilson drew an RBI walk to score Gaddis, making it 2-1.
The Leathernecks moved ahead 3-2 before UAPB responded with a decisive three-run sixth inning to secure the win.
Game Notes
- UAPB out-hit Western Illinois 8-5.
- The Lady Lions drew six walks.
- UAPB pitchers faced 36 batters and recorded four strikeouts.
- The sixth inning marked UAPB’s highest-scoring frame.
GAME 2: Western Illinois 8, UAPB 0
Western Illinois evened the series with an 8-0 shutout in Game 2.
Karis Stewart (1-1) started in the circle and took the loss for UAPB.
The Lady Lions were limited offensively but saw Ariana Gonzalez turn in a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
UAPB had opportunities, going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, with its best chance coming in the fourth inning when Chasney Cooper advanced to third with one out.
Game Notes
- UAPB pitchers faced 35 hitters and struck out four.
- Gonzalez led the team with two hits.
- Western Illinois’ Maria Luna went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.
- Libby Spaulding tossed six shutout innings for the Leathernecks.
GAME 3: UAPB 4, Western Illinois 3
The Lady Lions responded in the rubber match, edging Western Illinois 4-3 to claim the series.
Heidi Price (1-0) delivered a complete-game performance, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits while striking out six.
Offensively, Lyric Perry went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Chasney Cooper added an RBI, and Janiah Wilson reached base three times with a hit and two walks.
How It Happened
Western Illinois jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning before UAPB responded with an RBI single from Morgan Young to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Leathernecks extended the lead to 3-1, but UAPB answered with a two-run second inning to tie the game at 3-3.
The Lady Lions took the lead for good in the third inning, pushing across what proved to be the game-winning run. Price held firm the rest of the way to secure the victory.
Game Notes
- Price struck out six batters.
- UAPB’s highest-scoring inning was the second.
- The Lady Lions went 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
- UAPB drew six walks in the game.
