Box Score HOUSTON -- A slow start bit Grambling State University as Texas Southern University pulled off a  5-3 victory Saturday (April 23) at McGregor Park, tying the weekend series 1-1. 

TSU (16-19, 10-10 SWAC) closed Grambling State (19-19, 12-5 SWAC) out in a weird ninth inning. First,  left fielder Nick Wheeler was hit by a pitch. Next, an unsuccessful pick off attempt at first base allowed Wheeler to steal second, he rounded second and was finally tagged out sliding into third.

Shortstop Wesley Drain knocked a pitch up the middle, giving Grambling State life. Center fielder Angel Peguero struck out swinging, and Drain was caught stealing second base on a questionable call.

Grambling State's Tanner Raiburn (2-5)  got the start, finishing with five strikeouts through five innings.

Trailing 5-1 in the eight inning, pinch hitter Ace Felder had a two RBI single, allowing second baseman Larry Barraza and first baseman Tray Bell to score and cut the  TSU lead 5-3.

In the first inning, Texas Southern's Chris Scoroggins doubled to right field, Karmen Dukes and Ryan Lazo scored, and TSU went up 2-1. Dukes scored again in the second due to a Gerrick Jimenez sacrifice fly. Javier Valdez doubled to left, scoring Jimenez and Scoroggins and TSU led 5-1 after seven.

The series-deciding game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday (April 24) at Texas Southern.

The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff suffered a 17-13 loss to Prairie View A&M University Saturday, keeping  UAPB and GSU tied for first place in Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division.