NEW ORLEANS, La. | Richard Ortiz and Trevin Bolden each drove in a pair as the Grambling State University baseball team held off a late rally by Alcorn State to pick up its first victory of the season with a 6-5 win on Sunday to conclude play in the Andre Dawson Classic at Wesley Barrow Stadium.
 
Alcorn State (2-1) picked up a run in the top of the first, but that lead would be short lived as Grambling State (1-2) erupted for three runs in the bottom of the frame on two hits to grab a 3-1 advantage.
 
Marshawn Taylor opened the frame with a walk and advanced to second when D'Quan Matthews drew a base on balls. Ortiz followed with a base hit to center to plate Taylor as Matthews went from first to third on the play. Bolden continued the offensive onslaught with a double down the line in right as Matthews scored and Ortiz stopped at third. Isaiah Torres grounded into a double play at Ortiz scored to give Grambling State a 3-1 lead.
 
The Braves tied the game at 3 with a pair of runs in the third, but again the Tigers answered and plated one run in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-3 advantage into the fourth.
 
Grambling State picked up one run in the fourth and one in the seventh to take a 6-3 lead into the top of the ninth.
 
However, Alcorn State made things interesting as the Braves plated two and left the tying run stranded in scoring position.
 
Der'Vincent Hamilton doubled to center and Hunter Wilson walked to begin the ninth. After Christian Marquez was lifted for Daniel Beizer, Kyle Jenkins drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Brandon Barna followed with groundout as Wilbert Malphus, who pinch ran for Hamilton scored. Justin Barna brought in Devin Walden, who pinch ran for Wilson, on a sacrifice fly to center for the second out. Nicholas Hayes-Saltare struck out swinging to end the game, giving Grambling State its first win.
 
Inside The Numbers
· Grambling State finished with eight hits and no errors.
· Richard Ortiz went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored.
· Trevin Bolden went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in.
· Bo Fletcher finished with two runs and an RBI
· Cameron Shannon and Nick Wheeler each recorded one hit.
· Alcorn State registered nine hits and one error.
· Der'Vincent Hamilton and Justin Barna each had two hits.
· Rios Jimenez, A.J. Makarewicz, Kirt Cormier, Hunter Wilson and Brandon Barna registered one hit apiece.
· Elijah Saunders started for the Tigers, but didn't figure in the decision. He surrendered three runs on six hits, with five walks and four strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work.
· Christian Marquez (1-0) picked up the victory on the mound by giving up two runs on three hits, with three walks and a pair of strikeouts in 4.0 innings of relief.
· Daniel Beizer recorded his first save with one walk and one strikeout in 1.0 innings.
· George Osborne III (0-1) took the loss as he was tagged for five runs (four earned) on three hits, with six walks in 3.0 innings.
· Zachary Perez pitched 5.0 innings in relief and gave up one run on five hits, with three strikeouts and one walk.
 
News & Notes
· After two close losses to begin the season, Grambling State was able to hold on for its first win.
· The Tigers have won two out of their last three games against Alcorn State (dating back to last season).
· Grambling State finishes play at the Andre Dawson Classic, 1-2, with all three games decided by one run.
 
Up Next
Grambling State will have its 2018 home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E Jones Park against Wiley College. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.
 
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathetics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.