UAPB Baseball: Golden Lions Complete the Sweep with 14-2 Victory Over Alcorn State
uapblionsroar.com
PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Arkansas-Pine Bluff capped a dominant weekend at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex on Sunday afternoon, defeating Alcorn State 14-2 in seven innings to complete the three-game SWAC series sweep. The Golden Lions improved to 13-17 overall and 7-2 in conference play, outscoring the Braves 40-11 across the three games.
Alcorn State struck first in the top of the first, but UAPB answered immediately in the bottom half. Blake Coleman singled to right field to score Jose Vasquez, and a passed ball brought home Zach Wieder to tie it up and then take the lead at 2-0. The Golden Lions never trailed again.
The offense settled into a relentless rhythm from there, adding two runs in each of the next three innings to build an insurmountable cushion. In the second, Vinny Saumell hit a sacrifice fly to score Konner Giddley, and Jose Vasquez grounded out to plate Ian Smith. The third and fourth innings each featured the same formula — Vinny Saumell and Konner Giddley setting the table and Zach Wieder driving in runs on bunt singles, with Aaron Grant adding RBI doubles in both frames to keep the line moving.
The fifth inning was the dagger. With two outs, Zach Wieder laced a two-run single through the left side to score Jose Vasquez and Konner Giddley, and Blake Coleman followed with a towering two-run home run to left field to blow the game open at 12-2. The Golden Lions added two more in the sixth on a Jose Vasquez sacrifice fly and a Zach Wieder RBI single to close out the scoring.
Ryland Morin was exceptional on the mound, going six innings and allowing just two runs — one earned — on four hits while striking out seven to earn the win and improve to 2-1 on the season. Joe King worked a clean seventh to close it out, striking out two in his inning of work.
Zach Wieder was the offensive standout of the afternoon, going 3-for-3 with four RBI, two walks, and three runs scored without recording an out in any plate appearance. Blake Coleman finished 2-for-4 with three RBI including his home run. Konner Giddley went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, a walk, and three runs scored, while Aaron Grant went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a walk.
With the sweep, UAPB has won four of its last six SWAC games and sits at 7-2 in conference play.
