GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University baseball team held a six run, but wasn't able to hold off Southern University, falling 8-7 in 12 innings on Saturday afternoon a Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E Jone Park.
GSU (5-13 overall, 1-1 SWAC) held a 6-0 lead after four innings, punctuated by a pair of home runs. However SU (5-12, 1-1) steadily chipped away at the lead forcing the extra frames.
Grambling State outhit Southern 11-7, but left 11 runners on base. Keylon Mack and Jose
Vargas paced the Tigers at the plate with two hits apiece, both going 2-for-4.
Connor Rudy (2-3), who picked up the no decision, had a strong day on the mound striking out five batters in 6.1 innings of work. He allowed three runs on three hits and a walk.
Cameron Bufford opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single to third base. Mack followed that up with a towering home run over the right field scoreboard to make it 33-0
The Tigers plated two more runs in the bottom of the second. Vargas reached base on an RBI single through the right side of the infield, moving into scoring position on a wild pitch. Vargas then scored on a fielding error by second baseman Ryan Ollinson. Trevor Hatton extended the GSU's advantage to 5-0 with a sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the fourth, Tiger Borom smashed a solo homer to left, giving Grambling state a 6-0 lead.
Southern got on the board in the top of the fifth after loading the bases with no outs. A wild pitch plated the Jaguars fourth run of the game. A second wild pitch allowed SU to clear the bases, making it 6-3
GSU reliever Javier Martin ran into a bit of trouble the top of the eighth as the Jaguars shrunk their deficit to one run. An RBI single by Nathaniel Lai made the score 6-4. Later in the inning, Martinez issued a bases load walk.
After getting a fly out to open the ninth inning, Martinez issued two more walks and was relieved by Miguel Baez. Baez walked the first batter he face, loading the bases with one away. After getting the second on an infield fly, a wild pitch allowed Southern to tie the game 6-6.
Grambling State had a golden opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the 10th when Julian Murphy led off with a double. After a bunt that failed to move Murphy over the third, he eventually advanced on a wild pitch. The Tigers put speed on base, replacing Murphy with pinch runner Trey Ware. However, a line out and a grounder ended the the threat.
The Jaguars forged its way into the lead in the top of the 11th on an RBI double by Quincy Smith. SU made it 8-6 on a run-scoring base knock by Ollison.
Grambling State nearly rallied back in the bottom of the frame. After getting two quick outs, Chris Marcellus roped a single into left field. In the next at-bat, Jose Vargas drew a walk, putting a runner in scoring position. Daylon Ardoin then laced an RBI single into the outfield, pulled GSU back within one. SU ended the rally with strikeout.
Jeremiah Newman (0-2) put up valiant effort in 2.1 innings of relief, but was saddled with the loss after surrendering two runs on three hits and a pair of walks. He also struck out three batters.
Relief pitcher Enrique Ozoa (1-0) got the win for the Jags, giving up one run on four hits in four innings. He also delivered four Ks.
Up Next
Grambling State wraps up its series with Southern on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Wilbert Ellis Field.
FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /GramblingStateTigers1901 (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
