GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University softball team continued its torrid start to the season with a home-opener sweep of Texas College on Wednesday at the GSU Softball Complex.
 
The Lady Tigers (6-0) matched 2001 with the best start this century with 12-0 and 10-1 victories over the Lady Steers as both games ended in the fifth due to the 10-run mercy rule
 
Game 1
Grambling State plated one run in each of the first three innings, then exploded for nine runs in the fourth.
 
In the fourth, Morgan Adams walked to begin the frame and moved to second when Tayler Lenz-Selvera drew a base on balls. Andreana Reynolds reached on a fielder's choice as Adams was out at third. Tyra Triplett reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Kenyshae Beasley drew a walk to plate Lenz-Selvera.
 
With two down in the inning, Rikkelle Miller, who was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hitter of the Week, doubled to left to bring in Reynolds and Triplett. Beasley scored on a passed ball and after a pitching change, Tia Coleman was hit by a pitch and Tyler Robinson walked to load the bases. Adams, batting for the second time in the frame, singled up the middle to plate Asli Strozier, who pinch ran for Miller, and Coleman. Lenz-Selvera followed by a triple to left as Robinson and Adams scored.
 
Still not done in the frame, Reynolds doubled to center and tried to stretch it into a triple as she was out at third. However, Lenz-Selvera scored easily from third to give Grambling State a 12-0 lead.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State scored 12 runs on 10 hits and committed one error
> Aniya Randle and Rikkelle Miller each recorded two hits
> Tyra Triplett, Kenyshae Beasley, Morgan Adams, Tayler Lenz-Selvera and Adreanna Reynolds had one hit apiece
> D'Maria Matthews pitched a complete-game two-hitter and fanned seven
> The Steers had no runs, two hits and committed two errors
> Texas College got hits by Lauren Gutierrez and Jamercia Houston
> Valeria Villarreal pitched 3.2 innings to take the loss. She was tagged for eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits, with six walks and two strikeouts
 
Game 2
In the nightcap, the Lady Tigers struck for three runs in the first, four in the third and three in the fourth to cruise to the 10-1 win.
 
Grambling State led 3-1 entering the bottom of the third where the Lady Tigers exploded for four runs on five hits.
 
Anaiyah Fultz opened the fourth with an infield hit and advanced to second when Edwenia Foster singled through the left side. Fultz was out trying to steal third for the first out as Foster advanced to second. With two down, Andreana Reynolds doubled to left center to plate Foster from third. Tyler Robinson followed with a two-run homer to extend the advantage to 6-1. Versace Hicks-Butler doubled and came in to score when Adrianna Young reached on a fielding error.
 
The Lady Tigers added three more runs in the fourth to seal the victory.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with 10 runs on 10 hits
> Anaiyah Fultz and Edwenia Foster each registered two hits
> McKenzie Johnson, Rikkelle Miller, Andreana Reynolds, Tyler Robinson, Versace Hicks-Butler and Adrianna Young recorded one hit apiece
> Tyler Robinson had a two-run homer to highlight a four-run fourth inning
> Ja'Lynn Bonner pitched 4.1 innings to improve to 2-0 on the young season. She surrendered one run on four hits, walked four and struck out four
> Kenyshae Heasley worked the final 0.2 innings in relief
> Texas College finished with one run on four hits and committed two errors
> Lauren Gutierrez, Kierra Morris, Ezaria Harris and Leslie Merchan each recorded one hit
> Madison Henning took the loss as she was tagged for 10 runs (nine earned) on 10 hits, with a pair of walks
 
Up Next
Grambling State returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 20 in Itta Bena, Miss. as the Lady Tigers visit Mississippi Valley State.
 
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