STARKVILLE, Miss. | The Grambling State University baseball team led early against the seventh-ranked team in the nation, but errors continued to plague the Tiger defense in a 18-1 loss to Mississippi State on Wednesday night at Dudy Noble Field at Polk-Dement Stadium.
 
Grambling State (7-9) took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth, but the Tigers could not hold onto the lead as Mississippi State (16-1), ranked seventh in the nation, exploded for 12 runs on 12 hits between the fourth and sixth innings to take a 12-1 lead.
 
How It Happened
After a scoreless first three innings, Grambling State struck for one run and took advantage of two Mississippi State errors to grab a 1-0 lead.
 
With one down in the frame, Garrett Smith walked and moved to second on a Trevin Bolden ground out. Drexler Macaay reached on a fielding error and Kevin Whitaker, Jr. got on base on an error, which allowed Smith to score.
 
The Bulldogs plated two runs on three hits and took advantage of one Tiger error to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the fourth.
 
Mississippi State added five more runs in the fifth and took advantage of another Tiger error to extend the margin to 7-1.
 
The Bulldogs put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by a grand slam homer by Elijah MacNamee.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with one run on six hits, committed three errors and left 11 on base
> Ace Felder, Ian Bailey, Garrett Smith, Trevin Bolden, Kristian Franklin and Nick Wheeler each recorded one hit.
> Andy Escano (0-2) started on the mound for the Tigers and surrendered six runs (three earned) on six hits, with four strikeouts and three walks in 4.0 innings pitched
> Grant Landry, D'Quan Matthews and Jonathan Reid pitched in relief
> Mississippi State finished with 18 runs on 18 hits, committed two errors and stranded eight on base
> Jake Magnum paced the Bulldogs at the plate by going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a pair of RBIs
> Elijah MacNamee finished with two hits, including a grand slam, and five RBIs, while Tanner Allen had five hits
> Jordan Westburg, Luke Hancock and Josh Hatcher each collected two hits
> Peyton Plumlee got the start for Mississippi State and worked three innings. He fanned three and gave up a pair of hits
> Eric Cerantola (3-0), Brandon Smith, Tyler Spring, Riley Self and Spencer Price worked in relief
 
Up Next
Grambling State opens up a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series, beginning on Friday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Tigers will meet the Golden Lions at 6 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
 
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