Columbia, MO. – Sophomore Jerimiah Figueroa hit his second home run of the year, batting in four runs and fellow teammate Josh Cassidy hit his second consecutive game home run, as Arkansas at Pine Bluff hammered No. 23 Missouri, 8-3, on Tuesday at Taylor Stadium.
The Golden Lions (10-9, 6-3 SWAC) , who have won 10 of their last 14 games, snapped the Tigers’ mission, who’s coming off a good series win verse No. 6 South Carolina last week.
UAPB has won their second game against a nationally rank SEC opponent this season.
Missouri (18-7, 5-1 SEC) would draw first blood in the bottom of the first, taking a 1-0 lead heading into the second. The Golden Lions would roar back after the Tigers would put two UAPB runners on first and second.
Followed by Tommy Haas grounded to first, but would reach base on an throwing error, which would score Cassidy and Colin Drury to put the Golden Lions ahead 2-1 in the top of the second.
Cassidy first homer to left field, a solo shot in the seventh and Figueroa repeated the effort again with a two-run blast over the left field wall in the bullpen in the eighth with Vladimir Gomez on first after he reached on an error.
UAPB, which playing one of the toughest non-conference schedule among Division I schools, making its best start in school history and playing above .500, under the reign of coach Carlos James.
The Golden Lions pitching staff was outstanding once again, chalking up six strikeouts.
Junior right hander Blake Estep received the start and tossed 5.1 innings with a team-high four strikeouts, while allowing just two hits and giving up two runs.
Billy Olson (4-2) relieved Estep to pitch 1.2 innings and struck out one while giving up just one hit and one run to earn the win.
The Tigers threatened in the sixth inning, placing runners on first and second with one, but center fielder Rashawn Tillman pulled UAPB out of the jam, with a diving catch in the left-center gap and throwing out a runner at second to complete the double play to end the inning.
Andre Davis and Kevin Walsh came on in for the last two innings to strike out one, giving up one hit and no runs to secure the victory.
Josh Cassidy led all hitters going 3-for-4 with an RBI, followed by Jerimiah Figueroa 2-for-4 with four runs batted in, and both Andre Davis and Westi Hinkel both going 2-for-4.
UAPB Office Of Sports Information
