By: Habtom Keleta-Asst. AD for Media Relations
Box Score GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State Tigers led 10-4 before giving up nine straight runs, only to return the favor with four straight runs, including a walk-off single as GSU defeated Texas Southern 14-13 in game three of the weekend series in Southwestern Athletic Conference action at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park. The victory marks the third straight win for the Tigers, who swept TSU in a very competitive three-game series by a total of three runs.
Game 1-Friday, March, 20
Grambling 5 Texas Southern 4
(Click
here for game recap)
Game 2-Saturday, March 21
Grambling 4 Texas Southern 3
(Click
here for game recap)
Game 3-Sunday, March 22
Grambling 14 Texas Southern 13
In a roller coaster type affair, the Tigers cruised to a 10-4 lead by dropping five runs in the second inning as freshman
Caleb Clines saw his first action at home and didn't disappoint, generating a 3-RBI double. Later in the inning, graduate student
Cameron Phelts produced an RBI-single that brought home Clines. As expected, Phelts crossed home plate via an RBI-single from teammate
Jeremy Almaguer. Phelts scored a total of six runs in the series and averaged two runs per game, playing a crucial role in sparking Grambling's offense in times of need with his high-energy and his speed.
After Texas Southern responded with a run in the third and fourth inning, respectively, the Tigers answered back in the fourth with a four-run inning as graduate student
Joseph Gunn produced a sacrifice-fly-RBI that brought home
Jordyn Smith. GSU's
Kevin Breaux then hit an RBI-single that scored Rafael Ramirez III.
Cameron Bufford took advantage of a TSU mishap and scored on a wild pitch before Phelts cranked an RBI-single to center field that allowed Breaux to cross home plate.
Texas Southern trailed 10-4 and seemed down and out before somehow making another furious comeback with a powerful nine unanswered runs, including multiple home runs to take a 13-10 lead in the eighth inning as they were in perfect position to steal the game; however, head coach
James Cooper and his Tigers calmly responded with three runs in the bottom stanza that began with Ramirez III striking a sacrifice-fly to center field that brought home Phelts. Later in the inning Bufford generated a 2-RBI double to left field that scored
Jahmoi Percival and fellow Tiger Almaguer.
With the game tied 13-13, GSU redshirt junior pitcher
Emir Garrett came in relief and started the ninth inning on the mound for Grambling. The Tigers forced a ground out before Garrett struck out TSU batter Michael Goudeau. After walking TSU's pinch batter, Garrett forced Tyrese Clayborne to a pop-fly to end the top of the stanza.
In the bottom of the ninth, TSU relief pitcher Jaiden Beck gave up a single to
CJ Mervilus to open the inning. GSU's next batter, Phelts, was unlucky as his bunt popped up in foul territory, and TSU catcher Reuben Bennevendo made an acrobatic catch to get the first out. Almaguer then confidently stepped up to the plate and advanced Mervilous with a single to left field.
With the pressure mounting up, Beck proceeded to throw a wild pitch that advanced Almaguer to second while the game-winning run, Mervilous, moved to third base. That's when one of Grambling's best hitters, Percival, approached the plate with sheer confidence and didn't waste any time as
he cranked a line drive to right field and kept his right hand up with excitement while running to first base as he generated a walk-off single that brought home Mervilous for the thrilling 14-13 victory.
Click
here to see the final play of the game when GSU's Percival produced a walk-off single.
Click
here to view a highlight recap video of Grambling's 3-game sweep over conference foe Texas Southern.
Up Next
Grambling State travels to Mississippi to face Jackson State on Wednesday, March 24 in non-conference competition. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Braddy Field in Jackson, Miss.
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