GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University baseball team split a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) doubleheader on Saturday as the Tigers outlasted Southern in the opener, 19-18 in 10 innings, but dropped the nightcap, 13-2 in eight innings at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
Game 1 (19-18 win)
In the opener, it was a wild affair between the two rivals as each team plated five runs in the opening inning.
Grambling State scored two in the second and three more in the third to take a 10-5 advantage. But Southern refused to go away quietly as the Jaguars plated three runs in the fourth to cut the deficit to 10-8.
The Tigers scored two in the sixth, but the Jaguars didn't back down and plated two in the seventh to cut the game a two-run contest.
In the eighth, both teams plated four runs and Southern took a 18-16 advantage with a four-run ninth.
That set the stage for a big Tiger rally as
Richard Ortiz singled with one out and was lifted for pinch runner
Ace Felder. The very next batter, Rafael Ramirez, drilled a 1-0 pitch deep over the center field wall, tying the game at 18.
In the 10th inning, Southern went down in order and Grambling State took advantage.
Kristian Franklin drew a walk to start the frame and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by
D'Quan Matthews.
Khaalis King replaced Franklin on the base paths and
Garrett Smith walked to have runners on first and second with one out.
Marshawn Taylor provide the walk-off base hit through the right side as King came in to score the winning run.
Game 2 (13-2 loss)
In the nightcap, Grambling State jumped out to a 1-0 lead as
Cameron Shannon scored on a foul out by Ortiz, but it was all Southern from that point on.
The Jaguars opened the game up with a five-run third inning and added two in the fifth, along with three in the sixth, for a 10-1 advantage.
Both teams plated a run in the seventh and Southern put the game away with two runs in the eighth to avoid the series sweep.
Inside The Numbers
* Grambling State scored 19 runs on 14 hits, committed three errors and left 10 on base.
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Marshawn Taylor went 3-for-4, with two RBIs and two runs scored to lead the Grambling State offense.
* Rafael Ramirez registered two hits and registered five RBIs.
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D'Quan Matthews,
Isaiah Torres,
Nick Wheeler,
Garrett Smith,
Richard Ortiz,
Cameron Shannon,
Trevin Bolden, Drexel Macaay and
Kristian Franklin each recorded one hit.
*
Ryan Huntington started the rubber and lasted just 0.2 of an inning. He surrendered five earned runs on three hits, with four walks.
*
Christian Marquez,
Andy Escano and
Daniel Beizer (2-1) worked in relief.
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Daniel Beizer (2-1) picked up the win by allowing five runs (one earned) on four hits, with one strikeout in 2.2 innings.
* Southern finished with 18 runs on 15 hits and left seven on base.
* Zavier Moore went 4-for-5 with two RBIs to pace Southern's offense.
* Wilhelm Allen took the loss as he was tagged for four earned runs on five hits, with four walks and two strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched.
* In the night cap, Grambling State scored two runs on eight hits, committed eight errors and left 11 on base.
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Ace Felder and
Marshawn Taylor each had two hits.
*
Cameron Shannon, Rafael Ramirez III,
Trevin Bolden and
Chris Perez registered one hit apiece.
*
Anthony Hernandez (1-2) took the loss for Grambling State, pitching 5.2 innings and was tagged for 10 runs (one earned) on 10 hits, with three walks and five strike outs.
*
Daniel Wilson and
Kaelin Woodard pitched in relief.
* Southern finished with 13 runs on 11 hits, committed two errors and left seven on base.
* Daniel Franklin picked up the win for Southern with 6.2 innings pitched and gave up two runs (two earned), on eight hits, with three walks and six strikeouts.
* David Stanford led Southern's offense by going 3-for-5, with one run and one RBI.
* John Pop and Jacob Juge each had two hits.
*Michael Wright, Tyler LaPorte, William Nelson and Ashanti Wheatley each recorded one hit.
News and Notes
* Grambling State is 2-2 this season against Southern, with a three-game series remaining April 20-22 in Baton Rouge, La.
* Rafael Ramirez III has belted seven homeruns this season, which leads the team and the conference.
Up Next
Grambling State will travel to Nacogdoches, Texas on March 21 to take on Stephen F. Austin in a non-conference game. First pitch is set for 6 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.
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State Athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook) /gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
