General | 3/7/2020 7:38:00 PM
Box Score GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State Tigers were defeated 11-4 by Texas Southern in game two of the Southwestern Athletic Conference weekend series at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park. The loss sets up a rubber match between the two teams on Sunday afternoon in Grambling.
The Tigers got behind 4-0 in the top of the first inning and never recovered. Texas Southern added a run in the second inning before both teams went scoreless in the third. However, Grambling responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with four runs of their own when
Jeremy Almaguer hit a RBI single to center field which brought home Rafael Ramirez III for Grambling's first run. Moments later,
Jahmoi Percival generated a two-RBI triple to left center which brought in teammates Almaguer and
Jordyn Smith. After that,
Jake Lane hit a RBI triple to center field that brought in Percival.
Grambling trailed 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning when
Ian Bailey (two home runs in the series) had a golden opportunity to bring the Tigers even or take the lead with two outs and the bases loaded. Unfortunately Bailey hit a pop fly to left field to end the inning, leaving all three Grambling Tigers on base.
Texas Southern added two insurance runs in the seventh inning before putting the game away for good with four additional runs in the ninth.
Grambling pitcher Marc Luna (1-2) picked up the loss but struck out seven batters and gave up five earned runs in six innings of work before JC Bonilla came in relief. In three innings, Bonilla also allowed five earned runs and struck out one Tigers batter in the loss.
Up Next
Grambling State returns to action on Sunday, March 8 as they host Texas Southern in game three of the weekend series in SWAC action. First pitch in the rubber match is set for 1 p.m. at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park in Grambling.
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, 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.
