Grambling, La | Grambling State (15-23, 12-7) had six players record a hit, but UAPB (6-31, 6-13 SWAC) countered with eight, as the Golden Lions claimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference series opener, 14-6, Friday evening at Wilbert Ellis Field.
The Tigers were able to break the game open with a run by
Cameron Phelts on an error by the catcher in the bottom of the first. UAPB answered in the top of the second plating two runs to take a 2-1 lead.
CJ Mervilus walked followed by
Cameron Bufford hitting a RBI double to left field in the bottom of the third to tie the game 2-2.
Rafael Ramirez got things started in the bottom of the fourth with a base knock through the right side.
Joseph Gunn crushed a two-run shot to left field to give the Tigers the edge 4-2. Gunn has seven home runs on the season and is tied for third place in the SWAC.
Cameron Bufford hit a two-run homerun in the fifth to keep the Tigers alive, as UAPB took the lead plating three runs in the top of the fifth. Buffford has ten home runs on the season and he is currently ranked first in the SWAC.
With costly errors and defensive mishaps, UAPB was able to plate seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to put a stamp on game one.
"We had too many mistakes defensively and left too many runners on base," head coach
James Cooper said. "We have to be better defensively if we plan on winning game two to give us a chance to win the series in game three. We are going to come out better tomorrow."
Inside The Numbers
- Grambling State finished with six runs on eleven hits, committed five errors, and left nine on base.
- Cameron Bufford led Grambling by going 3-4 with a homerun, double, 3 RBI, and one run.
- Joseph Gunn went 2-4 with a homerun and a run.
- Cameron Phelts went 2-4 with two runs.
- Jeremy Almaguer went 2-4.
- Rafael Ramirez and Ben Avila each had one hit.
- Kerry Boykins Jr. (4-3) started on the mound for Grambling and lasted 5.1 innings. He gave up twelve runs on eleven hits, no walks and one strikeout.
- Austin Rotramel pitched in relief.
- UAPB finished with fourteen runs on thirteen hits and stranded two on base.
- Kacy Higgins led UAPB at the plate by going 3-5.
- Jordan Jones started for UAPB and went 4.0 innings. He gave up six runs, six hits, four walks, and struck out two.
- Tony Horn Jr. pitched in relief, went 5.0 innings, and was credited with the win.
Up Next
The series will continue tomorrow for game two at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park. Senior day presentation will begin at 2:50 p.m. followed by the first pitch at 3 p.m.
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