By: Habtom Keleta-Asst. AD for Media Relations
Box Score GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State pitcher
Marc Luna (1-0) struck out 13 Texas Southern batters as Grambling defeated TSU 5-4 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park in game one of the weekend series.
Grambling (1-12 overall, 1-3 SWAC) fell behind early as TSU took a 3-0 lead in of the fourth inning. The Tigers stormed back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth when Rafael Ramirez III generated an RBI as
Jahmoi Percival crossed home plate.
Cameron Bufford followed up with an RBI ground out that brought home
Jordyn Smith.
Shortly after, Ramirez took advantage of a passed ball and scored to tie the game 3-3.
In the fifth, the speedster
Cameron Phelts gave Grambling the lead with a run scored as a result of an error, and in the seventh inning made a furious run around the bases on a wild play. The Texas College transfer took advantage of another error by scoring what would be the game-winning run in a tight contest as he beat the throw at home plate in dramatic fashion.
In the eighth,
Jason Alvarez came in relief of Luna and credited with the save for Grambling. Alvarez and the Tigers defense survived a late push from TSU with the game-tying run on third base before striking out Texas Southern batter Michael Goudeau to get out of the jam and end the eighth inning.
Kamron Fields (1-3) was handed his third loss of the season for Texas Southern.
Up Next
Grambling State hosts Texas Southern in game two on Saturday, March 20 in SWAC competition. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
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