RUSTON, La. (Softball) – The Grambling State University baseball team traveled to Thibodaux, La. to play in the Mardi Gras Invitational hosted by Nicholls State University on Friday afternoon.

The Tigers finished the tournament going 2-2 and have an overall record of 3-5.

Game One
In the first game, Grambling was defeated by the Seahawks, 19-3. Wagner scored three runs in the second inning, one run in the third inning, two run in the fourth inning, and two runs in the fifth inning. GSU attempted mount a comeback by scoring six runs in the top pf the sixth inning. The first run came when Marshawn Taylor was driven in by Johan Mojica as he singled through the left side, 8-1. Taylor walked to reach first base, and advanced to third base when Daniel Barnett doubled to left field.  Grambling's second run was scored when Barnett crossed home plate on an error by the left fielder, 8-2. Barnett doubled to left to reach second base and advanced to third when Mojica singled. The G-Men's last run of the inning was scored as Chris Perez hit a sacrifice fly to left field allowing Mojica to come home, 8-3. Mojica singled through the left side to reach first base, advanced to second base as the left fielder made an error, and made it to third base when Wesley Drain singled to right field.

Wagner dashed hopes of comeback as the Seahawks scored five runs in the seventh inning and six runs in the eighth inning.

Isaac O'Bear (1-1) suffered the lost with 4.2 innings pitched for 10 hits, four earned runs, three walk, and two strike outs.

Danny Marsh (1-0) earned the win with five innings pitched for three hits, one walk, and five strike outs.

Game Two

The Tigers showed no fear as Taylor came to the rescue with a phenomenal showcase of hitting, batting a perfect 3-for-3 lifting GSU past Hofstra 8-7. 

Taylor also added two runs to the scoreboard and reached bases twice on walks. The Southwestern Athletic Conference most dangerous hitter and New Comer of the Year Barnett received the ultimate honor from Hofstra's catchers Vito Friscia and Chris Hardart. Both Friscia and Hardart held out their right arms and took two right steps signaling to their pitcher walk Barnett. Barnett reached bases on balls three times, he was pitched at one time and made The Pride stampeded. Barnett cracked a pitch up the middle sending three Tigers (3-4) to home plate. 

Daniel Beizer earned his first win in the Black and Gold pitching three complete innings striking out one batter. Beizer faced 10 batter and allowed two hits. Tanner Raiburn took the mound first for
Grambling State, Raiburn struck out seven batter in 5.2 innings. 

Game Three

To close out the tournament, Grambling faced Long Island University – Brooklyn (LIU-Brooklyn) and was defeated 7-3.

The Blackbirds got on the board with four runs in the first inning, 4-0. GSU answered back in the bottom of the first inning with a run. Wesley Drain doubled down the left field line to score Taylor, 4-1. Taylor singled up the middle to get on first base.

The Tigers played great defense to keep LIU-Brooklyn from scoring in the top of the second inning. GSU came back up to the plate in the bottom of the second inning and scored another run. Nick Wheeler drove in Rafael Ramirez, III with a triple down the right field line, 4-2. Ramirez reached first base on a fielder's choice to the pitcher.

Both teams went scoreless for the third, fourth and fifth inning. Grambling scored their last run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Taylor crossed home plate after Mojica hit into a double play, 4-3. Barnett was out on the play. Taylor was hit by a pitch to reach first base, advanced to second base when Drain singled through the left side, and stole third base.

The Blackbirds closed the door on the Tigers with three runs in the top of the seventh inning, 7-3.

Christian Marquez (0-2) suffered the loss on the mound for Grambling with 5.2 innings pitched for five hits, three earned runs, one walk, and four strike outs.

Nick Freijomil (1-1) picked up the win for LIU-Brooklyn with six innings pitched for five hits, three earned runs, one walk, and five strike outs.

The G-Men will compete again on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. as they face Wiley College. The game will be played at Ruston High School field.