GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University baseball team split a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon with Wiley College, dropping the first game, 5-3, but bouncing back with an 8-3 win in the nightcap at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
 
Game 1 - How It Happened
In the opener, Wiley (8-7) plated two runs on four hits and took advantage of one error in the first inning to grab a 2-0 lead.
 
Grambling State (3-6) answered with two runs on three hits, tying the game at 2 in the bottom of the third.
 
Kristian Franklin led off the frame with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a Kevin Whitaker, Jr. sacrifice bunt. Drexler Macaay followed with a base hit to center to plate Franklin from third. Isaiah Torres singled to right center as Macaay stopped at third. After a walk to Richard Ortiz loaded the bases, Garrett Smith flied out to center for the sacrifice as Macaay scored.
 
Both teams plated a run in the sixth, but Wiley scored one run in the eighth and one in the ninth for the 5-3 victory.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished three runs on eight hits, with one error and stranded 10 baserunners
> Isaiah Torres paced the Tiger offense by going 3-for-4, while Garrett Smith was 2-for-3, with one run scored and one RBI
> Drexler Macaay, Rafael Ramirez and Kristian Franklin each recorded a hit
> Andy Escano started on the rubber for the Tigers and gave up three runs on nine hits, with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched
> D'Quan Matthews (0-1) took the loss in relief, while Ryan Evans pitched 1.0 innings in relief
> Wiley finished with five runs on 13 hits and left one on base
> Justice Brown led the way offensively for the Wildcats by going 5-for-5 with three runs batted in and one run scored
> Brandon Bilnoski started on the mound and pitched 2.0 innings. He fanned one and gave up a pair of hits
> Noah Whitted, Austin Rotramel, Jon Michael Roberson (2-1) and Demetrice Rudolph (save) worked in relief
 
Game 2 - How It Happened
Wiley plated one run in the first and took a 2-0 advantage into the bottom of the fourth.
 
Grambling State tied the game at 2 with a pair of runs on two hits in the fourth.
 
The Tigers exploded for six runs on three hits in the fifth to grab an 8-2 advantage.
 
Isaiah Torres opened the inning with a walk and moved to second on a Garrett Smith sacrifice bunt. Ian Bailey walked and advanced to second on a stolen base as Torres took third. Michael Sookdeo followed with a double to right center to plate Torres and Bailey. Trevin Bolden singled through the right side as Sookdeo stopped at third. Kristian Franklin reached on a fielder's choice as Sookdeo scored and Bolden was out at second. Warren Laster walked and Kevin Whitaker, Jr. drilled the first pitch he saw from Wiley reliever Reginald Hall deep over the left field wall for the three-run homer. 
 
The Wildcats added a run in the seventh, but it wasn't enough in Grambling State's 8-3 victory.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with eight runs on nine hits, committed one error and left nine on base
> Kevin Whitaker paced the Grambling State offense by going 3-for-4, with four RBIs and one run scored
> Michael Sookdeo and Trevin Bolden each registered two hits
> Isaiah Torres and Ian Bailey added on hit apiece
> Grant Landry went five strong innings to earn his first victory. He gave up two runs on three hits, fanned two and walked two
> JC Bonilla and Julien Martin pitched 1.0 inning each in relief
> Wiley finished with three runs on four hits and stranded six baserunners
> Darrell Victoria, Nash Tratree, Carlos Torres and Timmie Russell each recorded one hit
> Tyler Baumann started on the hill and pitched three innings. He scattered three hits and walked one.
> Reginald Hall (0-1) took the loss in 2.0 innings pitched. He was tagged for eight runs on five hits and walked seven
> Zachary Norton also pitched in relief
 
Up Next
Grambling State opens Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action with a three-game home series against Texas Southern. The three-game series begins on Friday with a 6 p.m. start time.
 
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