By: Curtis Ford
Box Score NEW ORLEANS, La. | For the second time in the 2023 Andre Dawson Classic, the Grambling State University baseball team was forced to go into extra innings. But once again, the Tigers couldn't come up victorious, falling to Jackson State 12-11 in 12 innings at the MLB Youth Academy on Sunday afternoon.
Grambling State (2-5) held an 11-7 lead at the beginning of the seventh inning, but Jackson State (5-1) but rallied for five unanswered runs over the final six innings.
While GSU hit the ball better than it had all weekend, registering 11 hits, it was multiple defensive miscues that plagued Grambling State. GSU committed a total of seven errors.
Offensively, Trevor Hatton had a monster game at the plate for Grambling State. Hatton drove seven runs, going 3-for-7 with a three-run home run and a grand slam.
GSU got off to strong start, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning on the, courtesy of a three-run homer by Hatton. JSU responded in the bottom of the frame with three runs of its own coming on a solo shot by Ty Hill and a two-run home run by Jordon Smiley.
Hatton got active once again in the second inning when he smacked a grand slam over the left field wall, giving Grambling State a 7-3 lead. JSU added two runs in the bottom of the inning, one coming by way of errant pickoff attempt and another on an Rbi single by Hill.
In the top of the third, GSU tacked on two more runs, stretching its lead to 9-5. Terry Burrell III smacked an RBI double and Kyle Walker scored Burrell later in the inning on an RBI single.
Grambling State added its final run of the ball game in the top of the sixth when Hatton scored on a wild pitch.
JSU scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth and three runs in the seventh inning to pull within one run of GSU. In the ninth inning, JSU's Daniel Bannon hit a leadoff double. Following a sacrifice bunt that moved Bannon over to third base, an RBI double by Hill tied the game at 11.
In the 12th inning, Jackson State's Myles White drew a leadoff walk. GSU made a crucial mistake on the next play when JSU laid down a sacrifice bunt. Relief pitcher Jeremiah Newman fielded it, but made an errant throw putting runners on second and third with one out.
After an intentional walk loaded the based, Newman struck out Justin Johnson, but a dropped third strike allowed the winning run to come home.
Six different pitchers saw action for GSU on Sunday. Kerry Boykin's got the start, allowing five runs on three his in 1.1 innings of work. Newman (0-1) was saddled with the loss surrendering one run on no hits and two walks in 1.0 innings.
Up Next
Grambling State returns to action Tuesday when the Tigers head to Monroe, La. For a contest versus Louisiana-Monroe. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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