JACKSON, Miss. (Interstat) — The Jackson State Tigers used a five-run rally across the fifth and sixth innings to overcome a four-run deficit and defeat the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions 6-4 on Friday night at Braddy Field in a Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup.

The Golden Lions struck first with a run in the top of the first inning without a hit. Weston Gingerich singled and moved to second when Zach Wieder was hit by a pitch. After a popup, Lazaro Alvarado reached on an error by the second baseman, and Gingerich scored on the throw. Arkansas-Pine Bluff added a run in the fourth inning when Zyon Hamilton walked, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Nick Hockemeyer’s sacrifice fly to right field. That made the score 2-0.

The Golden Lions extended the lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning. Blake Coleman singled and Konner Giddley reached on a fielder’s choice. Hockemeyer singled to put runners at the corners. After a sacrifice bunt, Hockemeyer stole second, but Gingerich flied out to end the inning. Still, Arkansas-Pine Bluff carried that four-run advantage into the bottom of the fifth.

Jackson State’s comeback began in the fifth inning. Hederick Torres led off with a double and moved to third on a flyout. Shemar Harris singled to right field, driving in Torres for the Tigers’ first run. Isaac McClenty followed with a bunt single, and Tyree Reed singled through the right side to score Harris, cutting the lead to 4-2. Reed stole second, and McClenty stole home to make it 4-3. Reed then stole third and scored when the throw to second base was mishandled by the catcher, tying the game at 4-4. Golden Lions pitcher Ryland Morin allowed four runs on four hits in five innings before being replaced.

The Tigers took the lead for good in the sixth inning. Diego Melendez singled and Edwin Lemus Hudson Jr. bunted for a single. Torres bunted for a single, loading the bases, and Melendez scored on an error by the third baseman to put Jackson State ahead 5-4. Jordan Medellin relieved Morin, but Torres advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Hudson scored on the same wild pitch to make it 6-4. Torres later advanced to third on another wild pitch but was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff threatened in the seventh inning. Wieder singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. After two strikeouts, Zyon Hamilton hit a two-run home run to left field, his first of the game, pulling the Golden Lions within 6-4. But Jackson State starter Jayden Lopez retired the next batter to preserve the lead. Lopez worked seven innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts. Jaedeyn Edwards pitched the final two innings, allowing no hits and striking out one to earn the save.

Jackson State’s defense held in the late innings. In the top of the ninth, the Golden Lions put a runner on base when Zyon Hamilton reached on an error by the shortstop, but the Tigers turned a flyout to end the game. The Tigers collected eight hits, led by Tyree Reed and Hederick Torres with two hits apiece. Reed drove in a run and stole two bases. Shemar Harris added an RBI single. For Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Zyon Hamilton went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Nick Hockemeyer contributed a sacrifice fly and a single.

The loss dropped Arkansas-Pine Bluff to 22-31 overall. Jackson State improved to 22-24. The two teams will meet again Saturday in the series finale. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Jackson State 7, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3, and the Interstat ELO system gave Jackson State a 68.30 percent probability to win.