The men’s baseball team entered the diamond March 7 in a double header against the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine Bluff at Regional Park in Arkansas.
Game one was a dismal contest as the Panthers were shutout 2-0 due to the Lions’ dynamic pitching staff. The Panthers had 22 at bats with a dwindling two hits. All was not appalling for the Panthers as the pitching force, led by pitcher Terry Salter, held the Lions’ batters to only four hits and a mere two runs after six innings pitched.
The Panthers looked to redeem themselves from that daunting loss as they literally came out swinging in game 2. The Golden Lions’ pitching personnel came out a bit rattled as outfielder Myrio Richard reached base due to an error. Infielder Odie Davis responded with a single followed by a hasty stolen base. Catcher Brandon Whitby would smack a sharp single through the infield bringing in Richard and Davis for the score. Whitby would later score a third run due to a passed ball.
UAPB would answer scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the third inning, but Whitby would continue his colossal day scoring another run in the fourth inning, putting the Panthers up 5-2.
The intensity began to heat up in the bottom of the fifth inning and the tide began to turn as the Lions’ attempted to make it a contest scoring two more runs. But the Panthers would quickly bounce back in the top of the sixth with a clutch hit and a score from outfielder Brandon Kendricks.
The Panthers would ultimately put the Golden Lions away for good in the eighth inning after an RBI double from catcher George McDonald and an RBI single from infielder John Villapando sealing the deal 7-5. Pitcher Mark Almaguer pitched a fine game going six innings allowing four hits and four runs. Pitcher Benjamin Blackburn closed the game hurling for two innings allowing three hits, one run, and two strikeouts.
The Panthers boosted their record to 8-4, 2-3 in conference play. The squad will travel to Beaumont, Texas, March 10-11 in a double header face-off with the Lamar Cardinals.