Illinois State shuts out Golden Lions

After opening the season by winning its first two weekend series, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball team dropped its third.

Illinois State clinched the series with a 5-0 win Saturday at the Torii Hunter Complex in Pine Bluff.

ISU (4-5) defeated UAPB 8-2 in the opener Friday. The Redbirds followed the win by quickly taking the lead in the top of the first inning Saturday when right fielder Noah Rabin hit a 3-run home run.

Tyrelle Chadwick (2-1) held UAPB to one hit in a complete-game performance. He struck out 12

Golden Lions and did not allow a walk.

UAPB (6-4) left fielder Lawrence Noble broke up a perfect game bid with a two-out bunt single in the bottom of the fifth inning. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch but was stranded there.

He was UAPB’s only baserunner until the bottom of the ninth when Donovan Noble was hit by a pitch. Chadwick struck out the next hitter before giving up two fielder’s choices. ISU retired the lead runner on each to end the game.

UAPB starter Jaedon Willis (1-1) pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits.

The series finale is scheduled for noon today.

SOFTBALL UAPB 7, MACU 1

After beginning the weekend with a no-hitter Friday, the UAPB softball team picked up a second win in the Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic in Oklahoma City against Mid-America Christian (Okla.) later in the day.

MACU (8-4) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Lady Lions answered with 3 runs in the sixth and 4 in the seventh.

UAPB (5-6) got another complete-game gem from freshman starter Kayla Adams (4-2), who struck out 14 batters while walking one and allowing five hits. First baseman Samaria Jackson led the offense with 3 RBI and 2 runs on 2-of-4 hitting.

TWU 9, UAPB 8 (8 INN.)

UAPB finished Friday’s action by suffering its first loss of the tournament to Texas Wesleyan.

Lauryn Adams gave UAPB (5-7) the lead with a solo homer as part of a 2-run top of the second inning. TWU fired back with a 4-run bottom of the second. UAPB retook the lead, 8-6, with a 4-run in the top of the sixth.

TWU (8-5) scored 1 run in each of the final 3 innings to force extras and ultimately walk off the Lady Lions on a wild pitch.

Adams hit 3 of 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs.