PINE BLUFF, Ark. | D'Quan Matthews had three hits and scored one run as the Grambling State University baseball team took a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series over Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a 5-3 victory on Saturday at Torii Hunter Complex.
 
The Tigers (8-8 overall, 4-2 SWAC) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Richard Ortiz drove in Matthews with a base hit to center. Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at 1.
 
Grambling State picked up one run in the second and used a two-run third to grab a 4-1 lead.
 
Garrett Smith opened the frame with a single to left and advanced to second on Marshawn Taylor's sacrifice. Ortiz and Isaiah Torres drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Trevin Bolden flied out to right to bring in Smith and Ortiz scored on a balk.
 
The Golden Lions (5-7, 3-3) cut the deficit to 4-2 with a run in the fifth. However, Grambling State plated one run in the eighth before surrendering one in the bottom of the inning as the Tigers captured the series.
 
Inside The Numbers
* Grambling State scored five runs on nine hits, committed a pair of errors and left 12 on base.
* D'Quan Matthews led the Tigers at the plate with three hits.
* Richard Ortiz, Trevin Bolden, Nick Wheeler, Marshawn Taylor and Garrett Smith each recorded one hit.
* Anthony Hernandez (1-1) gave up two runs on six hits and fanned three in seven innings to pick up the win.
* Andy Escano and Daniel Beizer pitched in relief, with Biezer earning a save.
* The Golden Lions finished with three runs on eight hits, with one error and stranded 10 base runners.
* Nick Breutzer and JP Soriano led Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the plate with two hits apiece.
* Thomas Sanchez (1-1) took the loss in 3.1 innings pitched. He gave up four runs on six hits and walked four.
 
Up Next
Grambling State begins a two-game non-conference series with Alcorn State, starting on Tuesday at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
 
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