NEW ORLEANS, La. | Bryan Delgado fanned eight over seven-plus innings, but the Grambling State University baseball team could not hold on to a late-one run lead as the Tigers fall into the eliminate bracket with a 5-3 loss to Alabama State on Thursday afternoon at Wesley Barrow Stadium.
 
Grambling State (25-24), the West No. 2 seed, falls into the elimination bracket and will meet Prairie View A&M, the West No. 4 seed, at 9 a.m. on Friday. Alabama State (27-24), the East top seed, continues winner's bracket play and will face either Grambling State or PVAMU at 3 p.m.
 
How It Happened
Grambling State struck first in the opening inning as Isaiah Torres was hit by a pitch to begin the game and stole second. He came across to score on a two-out double by Jahmoi Percival to give the Tigers a quick 1-0 lead.
 
Alabama State battled back and grabbed a 2-1 advantage with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the second.
 
The Tigers grabbed a 3-2 advantage with a pair of runs in the sixth.
 
Ace Felder opened the inning and reached on an error. Felder advanced to second on a base hit to left by Trevin Bolden. With two down, Torres walked and Drexler Macaay was hit by a pitch, which allowed Felder to score. Richard Ortiz followed with a single to right to score Bolden, giving Grambling State the one-run lead.
 
The Hornets took the lead for good in the eighth inning as Alabama State struck for three runs on two hits to grab a 5-3 advantage.
 
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State finished with three runs on five hits, committed one error and stranded nine on base
> Drexler Macaay, Richard Ortiz, Jahomoi Percival, Garrett Smith and Trevin Bolden each collected one hit
> Bryan Delgado took the loss in 7.2 innings pitched. He surrendered four runs on seven hits, fanned eight and walked three
> Ryan Evans worked the final 0.1 inning in relief
> Alabama State finished with five runs on eight hits, committed one error and left seven on base
> Cameron Hearn and Christopher DeGuzman each registered two hits
> Ricardo Rivera started on the hill and pitched 3.2 innings. He gave up one run on three hits, struck out two and walked two
> Jeremy Rivera earned the victory in 4.1 innings of relief
> Terrell McCall picked up the save
 
News and Notes
> Grambling State entered the tournament as the SWAC Western Division No. 2 seed
> Alabama State entered the tournament as the SWAC Eastern Division No. 1 seed
> This was the second meeting between Grambling State and Alcorn State this season
> Bryan Delgado, Drexler Macaay, Isaiah Torres and Kevin Whitaker, Jr. were named to the All-SWAC Second Team on Tuesday
> The Tigers fall to 8-3 against opponents on the top portion of the bracket (losses to Prairie View A&M)
 
Up Next
Grambling State (25-24), the West No. 2 seed, falls into the elimination bracket and will meet Prairie View A&M, the West No. 4 seed, at 9 a.m. on Friday at Wesley Barrow Stadium.
 
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.