By LaTonia Thirston, Athletic Communications Prairie View A&M,
ATLANTA, Ga. —The Prairie View A&M Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the third inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 9-6 win over the Texas Southern Tigers on Thursday.
Junior Victor Mendoza (4-3) started on the mound and picked up the win for Prairie View A&M (20-36). The right-hander went five innings, giving up six runs, three earned, on five hits, allowing three walks and striking out three. Junior Tyrone “Ty” also made an impact on the mound for the Panthers, throwing four shutout innings while allowing one hit, with one walk and three strikeouts.
In the batter’s box, the Panthers were paced by freshman Marshal Jonas, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run, two walks and an RBI. Sophomore Jayden Williams put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Junior Paul Castro also contributed for Prairie View A&M, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding two walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the third inning. Senior Zachary Trevino’s run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Prairie View A&M.
The Tigers then tied the ballgame at two before the Panthers came back to reclaim their advantage in the fourth inning. which brought the Panthers lead to 5-2.
Prairie View A&M kept Texas Southern scoreless before building their lead to 7-2 the following inning. The Panthers notched two runs when a single from freshman Ahmar Donatto scored Jonas and senior Sebastian Coria.
The Tigers fought back, closing the gap to 7-6 until Prairie View A&M added some insurance in the seventh. The Panthers drove in a run on Jonas’ one-out solo home run off junior Adolf Castillo, bringing the score to 8-6 in favor of Prairie View A&M.
The Panthers kept Texas Southern off the scoreboard before expanding their lead to 9-6 in the ninth inning. Senior Alex Martinez came across to score the lone run of the inning for Prairie View A&M and get them on the board. The score remained 9-6 for the rest of the game, as the Panthers held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Prairie View A&M’s highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Prairie View A&M grabbed the lead at 2-2 in the top half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» The Panthers out-hit the Tigers at a 9-6 clip.
» Prairie View A&M went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Prairie View A&M pitchers faced 40 Texas Southern hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out six.
» The Panthers drew seven walks from Texas Southern pitching.
» Jonas led the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Texas Southern was led offensively by senior Gabriel Vasquez, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI.
