Tigers Use Late Rally To Claim Series Opener

TSU rallied back from a late-inning deficit with a three-run seventh as the Tigers defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-2 on Friday evening.
 
UAPB scored first in the third on a two-out RBI single and moved ahead 2-0 in the fourth on a RBI single.
 
Missed opportunities would haunt the Tigers as they loaded the bases in the fifth only to come up empty-handed. Jeremy Gaines opened the sixth with a leadoff bunt followed by Gabe Vasquez's walk but UAPB starter Brandon Little escaped the threat with a strikeout and two fly outs as TSU remained scoreless.
 
TSU came up with a huge defensive play in the seventh as UAPB's Lawrence Noble was thrown out at home followed by a strikeout from reliever Adolf Castillo. The outs fueled TSU's seventh-inning comeback as Tyler Williams led the inning off with a single followed by Tyrese Clayborne's bunt single. Johnathon Thomas drew a walk to load the bases and Justin Cooper tied it at 2-all with a two-RBI single to left. Thomas' speed caused a throwing error by UAPB which led to him crossing home for a 3-2 lead.
 
CJ Castillo came into a pressure situation as he moved from second base to the mound to open the ninth. He opened with a pop out followed by a fly out and a game-ending strikeout to pick up the save.
 
Cooper finished with a team-high two RBI and a hit. Adolf Castillo earned the win in relief as he struck out two in two innings followed by CJ Castillo's save.
 
TSU is back on the diamond at 2 p.m. on Saturday.