NEW ORLEANS, La. | Bryan Delgado fanned six in six innings pitched and Jahmoi Percival went 3-for-4 as the Grambling State University baseball team picked up a 7-4 win over Eastern Kentucky in the Andre Dawson Classic on Friday at Wesley Barrow Stadium.
 
Grambling State (1-0) begins the season in the win column for just the third time in 10 years and for the second time in three years.
 
The Tigers fell behind early, but scored runs in the third through seventh innings to earn the victory.
 
Eastern Kentucky (0-1) struck for three runs in the top of the third inning, but Grambling State rallied for two runs in the bottom of the frame to cut the deficit to 3-2.
 
Garrett Smith opened up the bottom of third with a double down the left field line and scored on a Kristian Franklin single to left. Percival singled to left as Franklin stopped at second. Drexler Macaay followed with a ground out to third as the runners a base. Rafael Ramirez plated Franklin with base hit to left to cut the margin to 3-2. Richard Ortiz fouled out and Isaiah Torres grounded out to end the Tiger threat.
 
The Colonials plated a run in the fourth, but again the Tigers battled back with a run in the bottom of the inning.
 
With two down in the frame, Smith walked and advanced 90 feet to second when Franklin was hit by a pitch. Percival drove in Smith with a base hit to center to close the gap to 4-3. Macaay grounded out to third to end the inning.
 
Grambling State tied the game at 4 with one run on one hit in the fifth.
 
With one down, Ortiz walked and scored on a Torres double to right center, tying the game at 4.
 
The Tigers to their first lead in the sixth as Grambling State plated two runs on two hits.
 
Smith began the inning with a single to center and advanced to second when Franklin grounded out to the pitcher. Percival singled to center as Smith moved to third. After a stolen base by Pervical, Macaay walked to load the bases. After a strikeout to Ramirez, Smith scored on a wild pitch as all runners moved up a base. Ortiz walked and after a pitching change, Torres drew a base on balls to plate Percival from third.
 
Grambling State added to the lead in the seventh as Ace Felder walked and stole second with one out. Franklin was hit by a pitch and Percival walked to load the bases. Macaay flied out to center for the sacrifice as Felder came in to score, giving the Tigers a 7-4 advantage.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with seven runs on nine hits, one error and left 14 on base
> Jahmoi Percival paced the Tiger offense with three hits, one run scored and one RBI
> Garrett Smith went 2-for-3, with three runs scored
> Isaiah Torres picked up two hits and two RBIs
> Rafael Ramirez III and Kristian Franklin each recorded one hit
> Bryan Delgado (1-0) pitched six innings and surrendered four runs (three earned) on seven hits, with six strikeouts and four walks to earn the victory
> Andy Escano, Kerry Boykins, Jr. and Ryan Evans pitched in relief
> Ryan Evans earned his first save as he pitched the ninth with three strikeouts
> Eastern Kentucky finished with four runs on nine hits and stranded 10 on base
> A.J. Lewis and Lyndon Weaver each registered two hits to pace the Colonials offense
> London Teague started on the mound for Eastern Kentucky and pitched five innings. He gave up four runs on six hits, with three walks and two strikeouts.
> Julian Jackson (0-1) took the loss in 0.2 innings of relief. He surrendered two runs on two hits, with two walks and one strikeout
> John Farley, Nick Laster and Jake Lewis also pitched in relief.
 
Up Next
Grambling State continues play in the Andre Dawson Classic as the Tigers take on rival Southern. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Wesley Barrow Stadium.
 
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