PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The Southern University softball team dropped a close 3-2 decision to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday at the Torii Hunter Softball Complex.
 
Southern (15-11, 3-4 SWAC) outhit UAPB (8-14, 3-2) 9-7 but was unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, leaving 10 runners on base in the one-run loss.
 
Arkansas-Pine Bluff struck first in the third inning, using three straight bunt singles to load the bases before a two-RBI double by Ariana Gonzalez gave the Golden Lions a 2-0 lead.
 
Southern broke through in the fifth inning when Izabell Astran reached on a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Jaciee Massey. A single from Laila Clark moved her into scoring position, and Keira Miracle-Tilford brought Massey home with an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 2-1.
 
UAPB responded in the sixth inning with a solo home run from Lyric Perry to extend the lead to 3-1.
 
The Lady Jaguars mounted a late push in the seventh. Clark doubled to left center and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Miracle-Tilford delivered again with an RBI single to make it 3-2. Southern brought the tying run into scoring position, but the rally ended on a groundout.
 
Clark led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Miracle-Tilford drove in both runs for Southern, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate. Astran added two hits in the loss.
 
In the circle, Aaliyah Zabala (7-3) went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out eight.
 
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