By: Habtom Keleta-Asst. AD for Media Relations
Box Score GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling Tigers crushed the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks 15-3 in non-conference action at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park behind graduate student
Joseph Gunn's two home runs as he totaled a game-high four-RBI on the afternoon.
"Today was a complete team win," said GSU head coach
James Cooper. "We looked good in all three phases. We got a great start out of our pitcher
Antoine Valerio, and we were able to play mistake free baseball on defense. Last but not least we got timely hitting at the plate. I believe everyone but two guys in the lineup today had hits," explained Cooper.
The Tigers went on top early when grad. student
Jahmoi Percival hit an RBI-double to left field that scored
Cameron Phelts. Grambling poured in three additional runs in the second inning as Gunn hit a 2-run blast to right field with
Jeremy Almaguer on base.
Grambling (6-14 overall 3-3 SWAC) scored another run in the next inning when redshirt sophomore
Keylon Mack cranked a home run to right field in nearly the same spot where Gunn's shot landed.
In the fourth inning, the Tigers dropped four runs on the ULM, then after a scoreless inning, Grambling exploded for five runs in the sixth when Percival hit a precise RBI-single to left field that drove in both Cam's,
Cameron Bufford and
Cameron Phelts. After Almaguer produced an RBI-ground out that brought home Percival, Gunn delivered another 2-run home run that scored Mack.
"Big hats off to Joe Gunn for his two home runs and also
Keylon Mack for his home run today," said Cooper. "We need to continue to play at this level this weekend at UAPB. It should be an interesting series."
Bufford filled the stat sheet with two runs, two hits and two-RBI for Grambling.
Percival finished with three-RBI in the blowout victory while Gunn finished 3-for-4 from the plate with three runs and four-RBI.
Sophomore
Kevin Breaux batted 1-for-2 and tied a game-high with three runs.
GSU starting pitcher redshirt freshman
Antoine Valerio (2-1) was credited with the victory as he fanned five Warhawk batters and allowed just two earned runs and seven hits in seven innings on the mound. Teammates
LJ Diaz and
Kaelin Woodard both came in relief for brief stints and produced one strikeout each.
Up Next
Grambling State will travel to Pine Bluff on Friday, April 2 as they face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in SWAC action. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
