PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- A sluggish start and leaving batters on bases hurt the Grambling State University Tigers as the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions bounced back in a redemption game with a 12-4, victory Saturday at the Torii Hunter Baseball, Softball and Little League Complex.

The Tigers (11-14, 8-2 SWAC) switched pitchers four times and left 12 batters on bases during the game. GSU head baseball coach James Cooper was disappointed yet optimistic about the weekend series, now tied 1-1.

"We did a good job winning the first game," he said about the Friday 7-1 GSU victory. "It gave us a chance to win the series. Our goal is to win every series, and that goal is still intact. We just have to do that tomorrow and come out and play better, come out and pitch better and swing the bats better."

UAPB bats heated up in the second inning, scoring six runs on five hits. Tommy Hass  had two RBI single up the middle, and Jaquee Moore and Dontre Brown scored. Aderly Perez had a RBI double to left field, and Jordan Knox and Tommy Haas scored. GSU's Creighton Hoover replaced Dion Holbrook (1-3) on the mound.  The Lions' Julian Jones hit a RBI home run to left field, and UAPB led 6-1.

GSU trailed in the eighth but battled back, scoring two runs. With the bases loaded, catcher Johan Mojica was hit by a pitch and Tray Bell scored. Shortstop Wesley Drained popped up to right field, Darien Brown scored and Grambling State narrowed the lead, 9-4.

GSU pitchers Holbrook and Hoover each allowed five hits, and five earned. Brennan Williams allowed three hits and one earned run through two innings. Torren Woods closed the ninth with two hits, and one earned run.

"We had a ton of runners left on base. Not getting the hits when we needed them not getting the hits with runners in scoring positing, that's what really put us in a bind," added Cooper.

The series final will conclude Sunday (April 3) at 1 p.m. at the Hunter Complex in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.