PINE BLUFF, Ark. (Interstat) — The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, powered by a relentless offensive attack and a strong start from pitcher Kenney Fabian, rallied from an early deficit to defeat the Texas Southern Tigers 6-4 on Friday evening in a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup at Torii Hunter Baseball/Softball Complex.

The Golden Lions (17-22, 1-0 SWAC) chipped away at a four-run Texas Southern lead, ultimately overtaking the Tigers (15-13, 0-1) with consistent pressure that produced 12 hits.

Texas Southern struck first, capitalizing on a shaky opening frame by Arkansas-Pine Bluff starter Fabian. The Tigers pushed across four runs in the top of the first inning, with Anthony Ruiz and Christopher Chavez delivering key run-scoring hits to seize immediate control.

The Golden Lions began their methodical comeback in the second inning against Texas Southern starter Jace Maynard. Lazaro Alvarado and Zyon Hamilton led off with singles, and a sacrifice fly from designated hitter Weston Gingerich plated the first run. Konner Giddley followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff continued to close the gap in the fourth. Pinch-hitter Nick Hockemeyer singled, stole second and scored on another run-producing hit from Gingerich, making it a one-run game.

The Tigers managed to extend their lead to 4-3 in the fifth on an RBI single from Ruiz, but the Golden Lions answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Jose Vasquez and Zach Wieder led off with hits, and Ian Smith drove in the tying run with a well-executed bunt single.

The game’s pivotal sequence came in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Gingerich singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Vasquez, giving Arkansas-Pine Bluff its first lead at 5-4. The Golden Lions added a critical insurance run in the seventh against reliever Seve Medrano. Smith walked, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Hockemeyer.

Fabian earned the win for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, settling in after the turbulent first inning to work six strong frames. He allowed one earned run on six hits, striking out five. Brendan Hamlin was exceptional in relief, shutting out the Tigers over the final three innings while allowing just two hits and striking out three to secure the save.

The most important part of the game was the Golden Lions’ immediate and sustained response to the early four-run hole. Instead of folding, their offense produced runs in the second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. This relentless approach, highlighted by a lineup that saw eight different players record a hit, wore down Texas Southern pitching and prevented the Tigers from ever regaining momentum after losing the lead.

Maynard took the loss for Texas Southern, surrendering five earned runs on 12 hits over six innings. Ruiz and Chavez each had two hits and two RBIs to lead the Tigers’ eight-hit effort.

For Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Wieder was a catalyst, going 3 for 5 with three doubles and two runs scored. Gingerich provided crucial production from the designated hitter spot, going 2 for 2 with two RBIs and a run scored.

The victory defied pregame projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 7-5 Texas Southern win and gave the Tigers a 60.5% probability of victory.

The two teams continue their conference series on Saturday.