GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University baseball team gave up three runs in the third and Jackson State added a run in the ninth in a 4-2 loss on Wednesday night in the 2019 Home Opener for GSU at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
Grambling State (2-2) went 2-1 over the weekend with victories over Eastern Kentucky and Alabama State in the Andre Dawson Classic, but on Wednesday against Jackson State, GSU left seven on base and finished with eight hits.
How It Happened
Grambling State struck first with a run in the second as
Kevin Whitaker, Jr. walked and scored on
Garrett Smith's double.
Jackson State responded with three runs in the top half of the third to take a 3-1 lead, but GSU cut the deficit to 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the inning.
Kristian Franklin walked and with one down, stole second. A
Drexler Macaay ground out advanced Franklin to third and he scored on a throwing error by the JSU first baseman.
The score remained 3-2 until the ninth where Jackson State picked up an insurance run to get the 4-2 victory.
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished two runs on eight hits, committed one error and stranded seven baserunners
>
Garrett Smith had the hot bat for GSU by going 4-for-4, with the lone RBI
>
Drexler Macaay was 2-for-4
>
Jahmoi Percival and
Kevin Whitaker, Jr. each registered one hit
>
Andy Escano (0-1) took the loss as he surrendered three runs (two earned) on five hits and fanned seven
>
Kerry Boykins, Jr.,
JC Bonilla and
Kaelin Woodard pitched in relief
> Jackson State finished with four runs on nine hits, committed one error and left three on base
> Wesley Reyes and Chris Prentiss each registered two hits
> Nikelle Galatas started on the mound for JSU, but didn't figure into the decision. He pitched three hits and gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits, struckout five and walked two
> Kevin Perez (1-0) picked up the win in relief. He fanned a game-high 11 batters and scattered six hits through six innings
Up Next
Grambling State returns to action for a three-game series this weekend against Nicholls State. The series begins with a 6 p.m. game on Friday at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field in Thibodaux, La. The Tigers will play at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday against the Colonials.
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