GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University softball team picked up its first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory on Saturday afternoon as the Lady Tigers split a doubleheader with rival Southern, falling in the opener, 8-6, but edging the Jaguars in the second game, 5-4, at the GSU Softball Complex.
GAME 1 (8-6 loss)
In the opener, Grambling State (11-26 overall, 1-14 SWAC) picked up one run in the first, but Southern answered with two in the second to grab a 2-1 advantage.
The Jaguars (15-21, 7-9) extended the lead to 3-1 in the top of the third, only to watch the Lady Tigers answer with two in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at 3.
Grambling State plated three runs on two hits and took advantage of a pair of errors to take a 6-3 lead in the fourth inning.
Tayler Lenz-Selvera opened the frame with a double and scored when
Versace Hicks-Butler reached on an error.
Kenyshae Beasley reached on a fielder's choice and with one out,
Mercedes Williams took first on an error to load the bases.
Morgan Adams followed with a walk to score Hicks-Butler and
Tia Coleman singled to plate Beasley.
However, Southern used a five-run sixth to grab an 8-6 lead as the Jaguars held on for the win.
GAME 2 (5-4 win)
The Lady Tigers trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the second, but plated two runs to grab a 2-1 lead.
Southern answered with three runs in the third and led 4-2 before Grambling State used a three-run fifth to hold on to a 5-4 victory.
In the fifth,
Monique Smith led off the inning with a single to right and stole second. Lenz-Selvera reached on a fielding error, which allowed Smith to score from second. After a stolen base by Lenz-Selvera,
Kendalyn Arceneaux walked and both runners moved up a base on
Deshuna McDaniel sacrifice bunt. Hailey followed with a single up the middle to plate as Lenz-Selvera scored and Arceneaux was out at the plate. Haynes came in to score the go-ahead run and eventual winning run when
Morgan Adams reached on an error with two outs.
Southern had an opportunity to tie the game in the seventh, but Grambling State got Elizabeth Donaldson to pop up with a runner on third to the shortstop to end the game.
Inside the Numbers
* In the opener, Grambling State plated six runs on nine hits, committed one error and stranded eight base runners.
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Morgan Adams led the way offensively by going 2-for-2 at the plate with a pair of RBIs.
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Hailey Haynes went 2-for-4, with two runs scored and one RBI, while
Tayler Lenz-Selvera was 2-for-4 with one run scored.
*
Allye Hartley,
Tia Coleman and
Kenyshae Beasley each recorded one hit.
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Caitlin McDowell (7-11) took the loss as she gave up eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits, with a pair of walks and two strikeouts in seven innings.
* Southern finished with eight runs on nine hits, had four errors and left four on base.
* Scarlett Brock went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and Shauna Knighten was 2-for-3, with one RBI and one run scored.
* Aubrion James (9-10) earned the win in 6.1 innings. She gave up six runs (two earned) on eight hits, with three walks and one strikeout.
* Tiara Scott picked up the save in 0.2 innings of work.
* In the second game, Grambling State plated five runs on four hits and left two on base.
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Monique Smith went 2-for-3, with two runs scored and one RBI to pace the Lady Tiger offense.
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Hailey Haynes and
Mercedes Williams each had one hit.
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D'Maria Matthews (4-10) earned the victory in seven innings of work. She gave up four runs on eight hits, walked one and fanned one.
* Southern finished with four runs on eight hits, committed three errors and stranded five baserunners.
* Tiara Scott (2-5) pitched six innings and surrendered five runs (one earned) on four hits, struck out a pair and walked one in taking the loss.
* Jazmine Dukes and Sydney Andrews each recorded two hits.
News and Notes
* Grambling State University First Lady, Mrs. Christy Gallot, threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 1.
* Grambling State honored nine seniors as part of Senior Day –
Kendalyn Arceneaux,
Lisa Brooks,
Hailey Haynes,
Mercedes Williams,
Tiffany Doss,
Allye Hartley,
Caitlin McDowell,
Monique Smith and
Deshuna McDaniel.
Up Next
Grambling State concludes its season-end SWAC series on Sunday afternoon against rival Southern. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. at the GSU Softball Complex.
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