PINE BLUFF, Ark. | The Grambling State University baseball team picked up an 8-7 victory in the opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but dropped the second game of a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) doubleheader, 7-6, on Saturday at Torii Hunter Complex.
The Tigers (7-8 overall, 3-2 SWAC) plated the game-winning run in the top of the ninth to earn the win in game one, but the Golden Lions (5-6, 3-2) held off a late rally in the second game to earn a 7-6 victory and grab a split in the doubleheader.
Game 1 (8-7 win)
Grambling State picked up a run in the first and one in the third inning before Arkansas-Pine Bluff struck with a four-run fourth to take a 4-2 advantage.
The Tigers answered in the fifth with four runs as
Richard Ortiz,
Nick Wheeler,
Trevin Bolden and
Kristian Franklin each drove in a run as Grambling State led, 6-4.
A run in the top of the seventh pushed the lead to 7-4, but the Golden Lions cut the deficit to 7-6 with two runs in the bottom of the frame.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff tied the game with a run in the eighth, but Grambling State took an 8-7 lead with a run in the ninth when Franklin flied out to right to bring Felder in to score.
Game 2 (7-6 loss)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff led 7-3 entering the eighth, but had to survive a late rally by Grambling State to pick up the win.
In the eighth inning, Bolden led off the frame with a base hit and advanced to second when Felder walked. Both moved up a base on a passed ball and
Chris Campbell walked to load the bases. After a pitching change,
Garrett Smith was hit by a pitch to bring in Bolden.
Marshawn Taylor flied out to left to score Felder and Campbell scored when
Isaiah Torres singled to center.
Inside The Numbers
* In the opener, Grambling State finished with runs on eighteight hits and stranded 11 base runners.
*
Garrett Smith,
Marshawn Taylor,
Richard Ortiz,
Isaiah Torres, Rafael Ramirez,
Nick Wheeler,
Trevin Bolden and
Kristian Franklin each had one hit.
*
Raul Baduel started on the rubber for Grambling State, going four innings. He gave up four runs (two earned) on three hits, with six walks and three strikeouts.
* Ray Evans worked three innings in relief, while
Daniel Beizer (1-1) earned the victory in two innings of relief. He surrendered one run on four hits and fanned one.
* Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished with seven runs on 10 hits, with 10 left on base.
* Ryan Mallison and Nick Kreutzer led the Golden Lions at the plate by going 3-for-4.
* UAPB used five pitchers as Tim Reynolds took the loss in 1.1 innings. He gave up one run on three hits.
* In the nightcap, Grambling State finished with six runs on 11 hits and left 14 on base.
*
Isaiah Torres led the Tigers at the plate by going 3-for-4, with two RBIs and one run scored.
*
Marshawn Taylor,
Trevin Bolden and
Ace Felder each had two hits.
* Rafael Ramirez and
Nick Wheeler registered one hit apiece.
*
Ryan Huntington pitched six innings and gave up six runs on eight hits, with four walks and a pair of strikeouts.
* Kerry Boykins Jr. worked two innings in relief.
* Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished with seven runs on nine hits and stranded five base runners.
* Tyrus Lopez (1-1) pitched six innings and picked up the win. He gave up three runs on nine hits and fanned five.
* John Magnuson led the Golden Lions by going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Up Next
Grambling State concludes its three-game SWAC series with Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday. First pitch set for 1 p.m.
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