PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Jackson State University baseball team dropped its non-conference series opener at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-2 Friday at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.

JSU (8-6) scored its first run in the second inning. With two out, Omar Gomez-Rivera singled back to the pitcher, and moved to third on a single to right-center by Colby Guy. On a double steal, Gomez-Rivera scored while Guy swiped second base for a 1-0 Tigers' lead.

Tied at 1-1 in the fifth, Jackson State regained the lead. Gomez-Rivera was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and moved to second on a bunt single by Guy. After Jatavis Melton reached on an error to load the bases, Gomez-Rivera scored on a fielder's choice to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.

However, UAPB scored single runs in the fifth and seventh innings for the final margin.

Guy's two hits paced the JSU offense. Juan Marulanda (3-1) was the hard-luck loser, allowing only two unearned runs in 6 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out eight.

Game two of the series is Saturday at 1 p.m.

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