PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Tigers of Texas Southern University moved one step closer to their first Southwestern Athletic Conference divisional title in eight years Sunday with a 13-3 win at Arkansas–Pine Bluff.
An eight-run fourth inning put the Tigers firmly in control of the game as they went on to win in eight innings after building a lead of 10 runs. Christian Sanchez, Jose Camacho, and Ricky Urbano each knocked two RBIs apiece for Texas Southern.
With the win, the Tigers (21-24) improved to 15-5 in the SWAC's West Division, and lead second-place Grambling by two and one-half games. TSU needs to win just one of their three home games against Grambling next weekend to claim their third West Division championship, and first since 2010.
Seth Oliver pitched four and one-third innings of shutout relief to pick up the win for the Tigers. Oliver (3-3) struck out three batters and scattered two hits in the game.
Pine Bluff starting pitcher Peyton Burks took the loss for the Golden Lions, allowing eight runs and walking six batters in three and two-thirds innings. Despite his high walk total, the Pine Bluff defense also contributed to TSU's success Sunday, as only three of the runs charged to Burks were earned.
Walks and errors helped TSU build their 8-1 lead after three and a half innings of play. The Tigers had only one single in the fourth inning by the time they had scored five runs in the frame. Kamren Dukes' single that scored Urbano to give the Tigers a 6-1 lead in the inning was only the second hit of the inning and the first to produce an RBI.
Prior to Dukes' RBI single, Olajide Oloruntimilehin and Victor Cruz drew bases-loaded walks for RBIs, while Urbano reached base due to an error on what would have been an RBI groundout.
The single by Dukes in the fourth inning was also significant in that it stretched his hitting streak to 30 consecutive games. The senior from Pearland, Texas, has also reached base safely in 37 consecutive contests.
Camacho and Sanchez knocked RBI singles in the sixth inning, while Urbano picked up an RBI hit in the seventh. An RBI groundout from Camacho and a sacrifice fly from Trey LeBlanc in the eighth inning gave TSU its 10-run lead.
Camacho's two hits stretched his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games; he has reached base safely in 25 consecutive ballgames.
Gaudencio Lucca had a hit and stole two bases for the Tigers, while also scoring three runs in the game. Ryan Diaz added an RBI sacrifice fly for TSU.
The Tigers return to action Wednesday when they travel to Texas A&M–Corpus Christi. First pitch at Chapman Field between the Tigers and the Islanders is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics
An eight-run fourth inning put the Tigers firmly in control of the game as they went on to win in eight innings after building a lead of 10 runs. Christian Sanchez, Jose Camacho, and Ricky Urbano each knocked two RBIs apiece for Texas Southern.
With the win, the Tigers (21-24) improved to 15-5 in the SWAC's West Division, and lead second-place Grambling by two and one-half games. TSU needs to win just one of their three home games against Grambling next weekend to claim their third West Division championship, and first since 2010.
Seth Oliver pitched four and one-third innings of shutout relief to pick up the win for the Tigers. Oliver (3-3) struck out three batters and scattered two hits in the game.
Pine Bluff starting pitcher Peyton Burks took the loss for the Golden Lions, allowing eight runs and walking six batters in three and two-thirds innings. Despite his high walk total, the Pine Bluff defense also contributed to TSU's success Sunday, as only three of the runs charged to Burks were earned.
Walks and errors helped TSU build their 8-1 lead after three and a half innings of play. The Tigers had only one single in the fourth inning by the time they had scored five runs in the frame. Kamren Dukes' single that scored Urbano to give the Tigers a 6-1 lead in the inning was only the second hit of the inning and the first to produce an RBI.
Prior to Dukes' RBI single, Olajide Oloruntimilehin and Victor Cruz drew bases-loaded walks for RBIs, while Urbano reached base due to an error on what would have been an RBI groundout.
The single by Dukes in the fourth inning was also significant in that it stretched his hitting streak to 30 consecutive games. The senior from Pearland, Texas, has also reached base safely in 37 consecutive contests.
Camacho and Sanchez knocked RBI singles in the sixth inning, while Urbano picked up an RBI hit in the seventh. An RBI groundout from Camacho and a sacrifice fly from Trey LeBlanc in the eighth inning gave TSU its 10-run lead.
Camacho's two hits stretched his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games; he has reached base safely in 25 consecutive ballgames.
Gaudencio Lucca had a hit and stole two bases for the Tigers, while also scoring three runs in the game. Ryan Diaz added an RBI sacrifice fly for TSU.
The Tigers return to action Wednesday when they travel to Texas A&M–Corpus Christi. First pitch at Chapman Field between the Tigers and the Islanders is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics