GRAMBLING, La. | Marshawn Taylor and
Richard Ortiz hit back-to-back two-run doubles to highlight a five-run sixth inning as the Grambling State University baseball team got back into the win column with a 11-3 victory over Texas College on Tuesday night at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
Texas College (15-17) struck first in the opening inning as the Steers took advantage of a walk and a hitter batter, along with a pair of hits, to take a 2-0 lead.
Grambling State (13-13) had an opportunity in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit as the Tigers loaded the bases, but came away empty handed to keep the Steers in front, 2-0.
Texas College had a chance to add to the advantage in the fourth by loading the bases with no outs, but Tiger starting pitcher
Andy Escano got a double play and a ground out to end the threat.
The Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when
Bo Fletcher scored on a sacrifice fly by Rafael Ramirez to cut the margin to 2-1.
Texas College got the run back in the top of the sixth, but Grambling State answered in the bottom of the frame and broke the game wide open with five runs on four hits to grab a 6-3 lead.
Nick Wheeler began the inning with a single to right and with two down,
Kristian Franklin was a hit a pitch. After a pitching change,
D'Quan Matthews walked to load the bases. Taylor followed with a double to right center to plate Wheeler and Franklin.
With runners on second and third with two down, Ortiz doubled down the left field line to score Matthews and Taylor. Rafael Ramirez brought Ortiz home with the final run of the inning with a double to right to give the Tigers a 6-3 advantage.
Grambling State added to the margin with three runs in the seventh and got a two-run homer by
Isaiah Torres to extend the lead to 11-3 in the eighth.
Inside The Numbers
* Grambling State scored 11 runs on eight hits, committed one error and stranded 10 on base.
*
Marshawn Taylor led the Tigers offensively by going 2-for-4, with four runs batted in and one run scored.
*
Isaiah Torres went 2-for-4, with a pair of RBIs and one run scored.
*
Richard Ortiz, Rafael Ramirez,
Trevin Bolden and
Nick Wheeler each recorded one hit.
*
Andy Escano (1-1) picked up the win in five innings pitched. He gave up two runs on eight hits, with three strikeouts and a pair of walks.
*
Elijah Saunders,
Daniel Beizer and
Daniel Wilson worked in relief.
* Todd Mercado started for the Steers and got a no-decision in four innings of work. He gave up one run on one hit, with three walks and three strikeouts.
* Nathan Teichmer, Logan Nicholson, David Ortiz, Cameron Charman and Jonathan Riffle pitched in relief.
* Logan Nicholson took the loss in 1.1 innings of work as he surrendered two runs on one hit and fanned one.
Up Next
Grambling State opens up a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series on Friday against rival West Division leader Texas Southern at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park. The series was originally set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but due to scheduled inclement weather, the series has been bumped to Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Easter). First pitch for the series opener is set for 6 p.m.
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