PINE BLUFF, Ark. (Interstat) — In a wild Southwestern Athletic Conference opener defined by a massive early deficit and a late comeback, Arkansas-Pine Bluff rallied from six runs down to defeat Alcorn State 8-7 on Friday evening at Torii Hunter Baseball/Softball Complex.

The victory improved the Golden Lions to 10-17 overall and 1-0 in SWAC play, while the Braves fell to 2-20 and 0-1, continuing a difficult season.

The game’s pivotal sequence, and its most important part, arrived in the bottom of the eighth inning with the score tied 7-7. After a groundout, Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Blake Coleman, who had already driven in two runs, launched a triple to center field. Following a single by Aaron Grant that put runners on the corners, Alcorn State summoned reliever Hayden Konkler from the bullpen.

Konkler was immediately tested by Joe Adams, who laid down a perfectly executed bunt single up the first base line, allowing Coleman to dash home with the go-ahead run. Konkler limited the damage by inducing an inning-ending double play, but the run proved decisive.

The comeback overshadowed a stunning start by Alcorn State, which struck for six runs in the top of the fifth inning to break a 1-1 deadlock. The Braves sent 11 men to the plate, capitalizing on three walks and three key hits. Jullian Jarrett provided the biggest blow, a three-run double that cleared the bases, though he was thrown out at third to end the inning. Jaylyn Bennett added an RBI single in the frame, part of his three-hit night.

That 7-1 lead quickly unraveled in the bottom of the fourth, as Arkansas-Pine Bluff batted around to score five runs, all unearned, fueled by a passed ball, two walks, and a crucial two-run single by Coleman. The Golden Lions tied the game in the seventh on an RBI double by Zyon Hamilton that scored Ian Smith, setting the stage for the eighth-inning heroics.

Pitching changes were critical. After starter Devin Kriley allowed six runs, only one earned, over 3 1/3 innings for Alcorn State, reliever Jose Cherena provided stability with 3 2/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief, striking out two. For Arkansas-Pine Bluff, starter Reagan James lasted five innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits, but reliever Jalen Porter earned the win with four innings of two-run ball, striking out three.

The result defied pregame projections from Interstat, which gave Arkansas-Pine Bluff a 76.1% probability to win and projected a 3-1 final score.

The two teams continue their three-game SWAC series on Saturday and Sunday in Pine Bluff.