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Grambling State University Athletics

Cam Bufford versus MSU 2022
7
Winner Eastern Illinois EIU 4-3
4
Grambling State GRAM 2-6
Winner
Eastern Illinois EIU
4-3
7
Final
4
Grambling State GRAM
2-6
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Eastern Illinois EIU 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 2 7 7 3
Grambling State GRAM 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 4 12 5

W: NICHOLSON, Trevor (1-0) L: Peters, Corben (0-2) S: ROBBINS, Zane (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Curtis Ford

Big Seventh Inning Leads EIU over Grambling State in Series Opener

GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University baseball team was locked in a 1-1 stalemate for much of the evening, but a seventh inning surge by Eastern Illinois helped the Panthers to a 7-4 victory on Friday evening at Wilbert Ellis Field at RWE Jones Park.

GSU starting pitcher Shemar Page tossed another gem, striking out eight batters, while allowing just one run on three hits in 6.0 innings. 

Preseason All-SWAC selection Cameron Bufford showcased why he's regarded as top threat the conference, going 3-for-5 with a triple and home run in the eight inning.

While the Tigers outhit EIU 12-7, GSU committed five errors. The Panthers also produced their share of defensive miscues, making three errors.

Trevor Nicholson (1-0) earned the win for the Eastern Illinois, working six full innings, surrendering one run on six hits, while fanning 12 batters. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Grambling State (2-6) got things started quickly in the bottom go the first inning when Bufford scorched a one out triple to right field, scorning on a throwing error by right fielder Logan Eickhoff, to give GSU a 1-0 lead.
  • Eastern Illinois (4-3) responded in the top of the third, taking advantage of two GSU errors. Ben Hayman reached base on a throwing error by third baseman Julian Murphy. Later in the inning, Eickhoff reached base on another error at third base, allowing Hayman to score with two away.
  • Niether team could find a way to score runs, until a GSU pitching change in the seventh inning. Corbin Peters entered the game in relief in the top of the frame. After walking the leadoff batter, he got a swinging strikeout. However, a hit batter and another walk loaded the bases with one out. Lucas DiLuca stroked a single to left field to break the tie and put EIU up 2-1.
  • Just when it seemed that Peters would get out of the inning with only one run across, he struck Nathan Aide out, but the the pitch scooted away from catcher John Garcia, allowing another run to score and keep the inning going. A wild pitch one batter later put the Panthers on top 4-1. Another error, this time by Bufford, plated a fifth run for EIU.
  • Just as hope for a comeback began to fade, Bufford smacked a leadoff home run over the 
  • centerfield wall, trimming Eastern Illinois' lead to 5-2. After the Tigers worked the bases loaded, freshman Keshon Hall hit a two-RBI double down the left line, pulling GSU within one. 
  • EIU, however, responded with two insurance runs in the ninth to go up 7-4.
  • Grambling State had one more comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth, loaded the bases with one out, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

  • Grambling State racked up 12 hits, committing five errors
  • Eastern Illinois notched seven hits, making three errors
  • GSU's pitching staff struck out 13 batters. EIU racked up 19 Ks
  • Shemar Page picked up his team-leading 28th strikeout of the season
  • Bufford's homer was his first of the season. He also hit his first triple of the year
  • Corbin Peters (0-2) was charged with the loss, going 0.2 innings, registering two strikeouts while giving up four runs, one earned, on one hit with three walks. 
  • Zane Robbins earned the save (S,1) for the Panthers, with no runs on no hits while striking out two. 

UP NEXT 
Grambling State continues its series with game two versus Eastern Illinois on Saturday at Wilbert EllisField and RWE Jones Park. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. 

FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS 
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com. 

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