KENNESAW, Ga. | The Grambling State University baseball team suffered its third consecutive setback on Friday as the Tigers dropped a 26-7 decision to Kennesaw State to open a three-game non-conference series at Stillwell Baseball Stadium.
The Owls (10-12) exploded for a five-run first inning to grab a quick 5-0 lead. Kennesaw State wasn't done and plated two runs in the second, nine in the third, four in the fourth and five in the fifth to take a 25-0 advantage into the sixth.
Grambling State (12-11) cut the deficit to 25-2 with a two-run sixth as Rafael Ramirez III brought in
Garrett Smith and
Richard Ortiz scored on a wild pitch.
The Tigers plated one run in the top half of the seventh as
Trevin Bolden scored on a
Cameron Shannon base hit to right, but the Owls answered with one run in the bottom of the frame.
Grambling State used a four-run eighth to cut into the margin as Ortiz and
Nick Wheeler scored on a
D'Quan Matthews triple and
Bo Fletcher singled to right, allowing Matthews to score. Shannon Doubled to plate Fletcher as the deficit was cut to 26-7.
Inside The Numbers
* Grambling State scored seven runs on nine hits, committed three errors and left seven on base.
*
Cameron Shannon and
Bo Fletcher each had two hits.
*
Marshawn Taylor,
Richard Ortiz, Rafael Ramirez,
D'Quan Matthews and
Trevin Bolden registered one hit apiece.
*
Christian Marquez (3-1) pitched 2.1 innings to take the loss. He was tagged for 15 runs on 13 hits and walked three.
*
Kaelin Woodard,
Ryan Evans,
Raul Baduel,
Andy Escano and
Daniel Wilson worked in relief.
* Kennesaw State finished with 26 runs on 25 hits, with one error and stranded 10 base runners.
* AJ Willoughby paced the Owls by going 5-for-6, with six RBIs and two runs scored.
* Griffin Helms was 3-for-6, with seven runs batted in and came in to score three times.
*AJ Moore (2-0) started for Kennesaw State and picked up the victory on the mound. He scattered just one hit, fanned five and walked two in five innings of work.
* Nathan Dupree, Rhian Mann, Will Bice and Monty Horn pitched in relief.
Up Next
Grambling State will look to end a three-game slide on Saturday as the Tigers and Owls meet for the second game of the three-game series at Stillwell Baseball Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
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