UAPB Baseball: Golden Lions’ Season Ends in SWAC Tournament Semifinals
Photo:uapblionsroar.com
The 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament delivered drama, upsets and postseason intensity at historic Rickwood Field as the Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions baseball made one of the tournament’s biggest statements with a stunning opening-round victory over top-seeded Bethune–Cookman Wildcats baseball.
Entering the tournament as the No. 8 seed, UAPB arrived in Birmingham with momentum after producing its best regular season in more than a decade. The Golden Lions finished conference play at 16-14 to earn the final postseason berth and embraced the underdog role heading into the SWAC Championship.
The tournament, held May 20-24 at America’s oldest professional baseball park, featured the top eight teams in the conference competing in a double-elimination format.
UAPB wasted little time turning heads on opening night.
Facing SWAC regular season champion Bethune-Cookman, the Golden Lions exploded for three runs in the opening inning and never backed down despite late pressure and a lengthy weather delay. Freshman standout Aaron Grant delivered an RBI single to ignite the early rally, while Blake Coleman and Nick Hockemeyer added key run-producing at-bats as UAPB built an early cushion against SWAC Pitcher of the Year Edwin Sanchez.
The Golden Lions eventually secured a 6-4 upset victory, sending shockwaves throughout the tournament bracket and pushing the Wildcats into elimination play. The win immediately became one of the biggest stories of the championship tournament and showcased the resilience that defined UAPB throughout the season.
Historic Rickwood Field provided the perfect backdrop for the Golden Lions’ postseason push. The legendary venue, rich in baseball history and Negro League tradition, hosted the SWAC Championship for another season and brought a postseason atmosphere filled with HBCU pride, marching bands and passionate fan support.
UAPB’s tournament run continued with a matchup against Alabama State Hornets baseball in the winners bracket, where the Golden Lions battled but eventually fell 8-7 in a rain-soaked contest. Despite the loss, UAPB proved it belonged among the conference’s top contenders after entering the tournament as the final seed.
The Golden Lions returned to action Friday morning again facing #1 seeded Bethune-Cookman, defeating the Wildcats 13-8 to advance to the Semifinal round. UAPB struck first after base hits by Zach Wieder and Freshman of the Year Aaron Grant, and walks by Lazaro Alvarado and Nick Hockemeyer to give the Golden Lions an early lead. After both teams pushed across 2 runs in the fourth. The Wildcats would briefly take the lead posting 6 runs in the bottom of the sixth, as the Golden Lions answered with 3 runs the very next inning. UAPB left no doubt as they exploded for 7 runs in the top of the eighth, regaining the lead and eliminating the SWAC’s regular season champions.
UAPB would again face Alabama State, this time in the semifinal round. The Hornets struck first scoring a run in the first inning, before play was suspended due to inclement weather. After a three and a half hour rain delay, the Golden lions tied the game on a Konner Giddley single to left field that scored Zyon Hamilton. Alabama State would regain control after a 5 run bottom of the fourth, to take a 6-1 advantage. Despite the Golden Lions scoring 2 runs in the sixth and eighth innings, it wasn’t enough as the Hornets advanced in a 8-5 victory, effectively ending the Golden Lions run.
Throughout the week, the Golden Lions displayed timely hitting, aggressive base running and a fearless mentality against some of the SWAC’s top programs. Players such as Aaron Grant helped fuel the offense, while UAPB’s pitching staff consistently worked through pressure-filled innings against elite conference lineups.
For UAPB, the 2026 SWAC Baseball Championship became more than just a postseason appearance. It marked another step forward for a program continuing to rebuild its identity and competitiveness within the conference. By upsetting the tournament’s top seed and competing deep into championship week, the Golden Lions showed they are becoming a dangerous program capable of challenging the SWAC’s traditional powers.
