PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas | Rafael Ramirez III tied the game with a two-run base hit in the ninth inning and the Grambling State University baseball team exploded for seven runs in the 10th as the Tigers rallied to defeat Prairie View A&M, 18-11, in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series opener on Friday afternoon at Tankserly Field.
Grambling State (16-14 overall, 9-4 SWAC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second.
With one down in the frame,
Trevin Bolden was hit by a pitch and stole second.
Ace Felder walked as
Marshawn Taylor singled to right to plate Bolden. Felder came in to score on the play due an error.
However, the Panthers cut the deficit in the bottom of the inning to 2-1, and tied the game at 2 with one run in the third.
Grambling State answered with two runs in the fourth to grab a 4-2 advantage, but again Prairie View A&M (6-21, 3-10) battled back with one run in the fourth and took a 7-6 lead with a four-run sixth.
The Tigers plated two runs in the seventh as
D'Quan Matthews scored on a sacrifice fly to center by
Kristian Franklin and Taylor scored Bolden on a single.
Back came Prairie View A&M with two runs in the seventh to take a 9-8 advantage.
The Tigers tied the game at 9 with one run in the eighth, but again the Panthers answered and plated two runs in the bottom half to grab an 11-9 lead.
Grambling State rallied in the ninth as Franklin and Felder drew back-to-back walks to open the frame. With two outs and down to its final strike, Ramirez ripped a two-RBI single to center to plate Franklin and Felder as Grambling State tied the game at 11.
The Tigers exploded for seven runs on four hits in the 10th to grab an 18-11 advantage.
In the 10th inning,
Isaiah Torres walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Garrett Smith.
Khaalis King, who pinch ran for Torres, came in to score on a double by
Nick Wheeler.
Bo Fletcher and Felder drew back-to-back walks to load the bases and Taylor cleared them with a triple to left center. Taylor came in to score on a double by
Richard Ortiz and Ramirez emptied the bases with a towering two-run shot to right to give Grambling State a commanding lead.
Inside The Numbers
* Grambling State registered 17 runs on 16 hits, committed three errors and left 11 on base.
*
Marshawn Taylor went 5-for-7, with six RBIs and two runs scored.
* Rafael Ramirez was 3-for-5, with five runs batted in and one run scored.
*
Ace Felder (four runs scored) and
Garrett Smith each had two hits.
*
Richard Ortiz,
Isaiah Torres,
Nick Wheeler and
Trevin Bolden (three runs scored) recorded one hit apiece.
*
Raul Baduel went five innings and did not figure into the decision. He gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits, with five walks and five strikeouts.
*
Daniel Wilson and
Daniel Beizer pitched in relief.
*
Daniel Beizer earned the win as he gave up four runs on eight hits, with three walks and a pair of strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.
* Prairie View A&M finished with 11 runs on 16 hits, committed two errors and stranded 15 baserunners.
* Brashad Jones, Ezekiel Bear, Steven Williams, Andrew Garcia and Tyler Gordon each recorded two hits.
* Derrick Curry started on the hill for the Panthers and lasted 5.2 innings. He gave up six runs (five earned) on eight hits, with seven strikeouts and four walks.
* Lorenzo Hardit, Cristian Cooper, Darrien Williams, Kaelon Woods, Caleb Rozypal worked in relief.
Up Next
Grambling State returns to action for the second game of the SWAC series on Saturday against Prairie View A&M. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. from Tankersly Field.
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