Softball Drops Series Opener at UAPB

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Kamea Seunarine and Janiah Wilson combined for six hits Friday afternoon in helping Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a 13-4 win over Alcorn in the first game of a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball doubleheader at Torii Hunter Softball Complex in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
 
The second game of the doubleheader was halted in the top of the seventh due to severe weather impacting the Pine Bluff area. At the time, Alcorn was leading 5-3. More information on when and where the game will resume will be announced at a later time.
 
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4-10, 1-0 SWAC) used a big sixth inning to pull away, scoring six runs in the final frame to turn a close contest into a decisive win.
 
UAPB struck first in the bottom of the first, plating two runs. Centerfielder Chasney Cooper reached on an error and eventually came home on Kamea Seunarine's RBI single to center. Janai Mathis, the Golden Lions third baseman, followed with a run-scoring double to make it 2-0.
 
The Golden Lions extended the lead to 4-0 in the second when Ariana Gonzalez and Janiah Wilson connected on back-to-back singles. Cooper then delivered a two-run single and stole second base, prompting Wilson to score as well.
 
Alcorn State (9-10, 0-1) crept back into the game in the top of the third.
 
With two runners aboard, Rajayla McBride reached on a throwing error by Janiah Wilson that plated two, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
 
But UAPB answered immediately in the bottom of the third.
 
Perry crushed a two-run home run to left field – her first of the season, scoring Seunarine to push the lead back to 6-2.
 
The Braves loaded the bases on three consecutive singles in the fourth inning before second baseman Karmen Bernard ripped a two-run single to right to score Chiara Olison and Paris Thompson, pulling Alcorn within 6-4. The score remained that way heading into the fifth inning.
 
UAPB added a run in the fifth when Cooper singled and stole third, then scored as the relay throw went awry.
 
The sixth inning proved to be the back-breaker for the Purple and Gold.
 
Seunarine led off the sixth with her second home run of the game to make it 8-4. After a wild pitch scored two insurance runs, Wilson capped the rally with a two-run single that scored three total, advancing the UAPB lead at 13-4.
 
Kaydrian Fields (1-2) earned her first win of the year in the circle while working five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs (two earned), while striking out one and walking two. Danika Bryant closed out the final inning, working around a walk and fanning one.
 
Alcorn's Chiara Olison (6-5) suffered the loss, giving up nine hits and six runs (five earned) over three innings.
 
Seunarine went 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBIs. Wilson finished 3-for-4 with two RBI, and Cooper went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Perry added a home run and a double, finishing with two RBIs, respectfully.
 
Bernard led the Braves with two RBIs, going 2-for-2 with a walk. Thompson and Olison each recorded a hit as well.
 
As for Saturday's series finale, that game is also yet to be determined as to a start time/date, with the inclement weather expected to impact the area heavily overnight.
 
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