THIBODAUX, La. | The Grambling State University baseball team suffered a doubleheader setback to Nicholls State on Sunday afternoon at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
 
Grambling State dropped the opener, 16-5, and fell, 7-1, in the nightcap.
 
Game 1 - How It Happened
Grambling State (2-5) started strong and plated one run on three hits to grab a quick 1-0 advantage in the top of the first inning.
 
Kevin Whitaker, Jr. opened the game with a single to right and advanced to third on a Drexler Macaay base hit to left. Rafael Ramirez III followed with a single to center to score Whitaker, giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
 
However, Nicholls State (6-1) responded with four runs in the bottom of the second and one in the third to grab a 5-1 lead.
 
The Tigers cut into the Colonials' lead in the fourth with two runs on three hits and took advantage of an error.
 
Garrett Smith began the inning with a double and advanced to third on an infield hit by Nick Wheeler. With runners on the corners, Kristian Franklin singled through the left side to plate Smith as Wheeler stopped at second. Both runners advanced a base on an error and Wheeler came across to score on a Warren Laster ground out.
 
Grambling State tied the game at 5 in the fifth as Isaiah Torres doubled to right with one out and advanced to second on a Richard Ortiz ground out. Smith was hit by a pitch and both runners scored on a Wheeler triple to center.
 
The Colonials responded in the bottom of the fifth with six runs on six hits, one run in the sixth and four runs in the seventh for a 16-5 advantage.
 
Grambling State could not recover from such a big deficit.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with five runs on 10 hits, committed one error and left nine on base
> Isaiah Torres went 2-for-3, with a run scored, while Nick Wheeler was 2-for-4, with a pair of RBIs and one run scored
> Kevin Whitaker, Jr., Drexler Macaay, Rafael Ramirez III, Garrett Smith, Kristian Franklin and Warren Laster each recorded one hit
> Jason Alvarez, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Pitcher of the Week, took the loss in 4.1 innings pitched. He surrendered seven runs on six hits, walked four and struckout three.
> Kerry Boykins, Jr. and Jamary McKinney pitched in relief.
> Nicholls State finished with 16 runs on 16 hits, with three errors and stranded seven on base
> Brady Bell led the way offensively by going 4-for-5, with four RBIs and two runs scored
> Austin France was 2-for-3, with three runs batted in and three runs scored
> Nathan Tribble went 2-for-4, with a team-high six RBIs and two runs scored
> Jacob Bedevian earned the win by surrendering five runs (four earned) on eight hits, with four strikeouts and one walk.
> Parker White and Colin Kramer worked in relief.
 
Game 2 - How It Happened
Nicholls State jumped out to a 2-0 through two innings, but Grambling State cut the deficit to 2-1 with a run in the top of the third.
 
Kevin Whitaker, Jr.  opened the inning with a base hit to left and moved to second on an Isaiah Torres ground out. Jalin McMillan singled to left to bring home Whitaker.
 
The Colonials added to the lead with five runs in the bottom of the frame to take a commanding 7-1 advantage.
 
Grambling State tried to rally in the ninth as Garrett Smith singled to center and moved to second on a passed ball. Richard Ortiz brought Smith in on a two-out double to left center. Nick Wheeler ended the Tiger threat and the game with a strikeout.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with two runs on 10 hits and stranded 13 on base
> Isaiah Torres and Richard Ortiz each went 2-for-5
> Kevin Whitaker, Jr., Garrett Smith, Nick Wheeler, Trevin Bolden and Warren Laster had one hit each
> Ryan Huntington (0-1) took the loss. He was tagged for seven runs on eight hits, with two strikeouts and two walks
> Ryan Evans, D'Quan Matthews and Santiago Hungria III pitched in relief
> Nicholls State plated seven runs on eight hits and left two on base
> Austin France paced the Colonials by going 2-for-3, with three RBIs and two runs scored
> Shane Mejia earned the victory in 5.0 innings pitched. He gave up one run on six hits, with nine strikeouts and three walks
> Peter Holland, Beau Balado, Brandon Andrews and Cyle Clayton worked in relief
 
Up Next
Grambling State returns to action with a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday against Wiley College. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. from Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
 
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