GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University baseball team had a huge weekend on the diamond, completing a series sweep of Alcorn State in a Sunday afternoon doubleheader at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
GSU (16-20 overall, 13-5 SWAC) took game one 11-1 and outlasted the Braves 9-8 in the series finale.
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 1
In game one, Grambling State quickly disposed of Alcorn State (2-31, 1-17 SWAC).
Phillip Bryant (3-2) earned the win on the mound for GSU after striking out five batters in 6.0 innings. He limited ASU to one run on five hits.
Kyle Walker paced the Tigers at the plate going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Jaylyn Bennett's three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning got the scoring started, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
After the Braves scored a run in the top of the third, GSU stretched its lead back to three runs, 4-1, on an RBi single by Walker. GSU closed the frame with three more runs to extend its advantage to 7-1.
Martavius Thomas pulled an RBI double down the right field line, scoring
Jose Vargas from first base to make it 8-1. Thomas attempted the stretch the double into a triple but was thrown out at third.
Alcorn State threatened to cut into GSU's lead after loaded the bases with one out in the top of the sixth, however, Bryant settled in a struck out the final two batters of the inning to get out of the jam.
The Tigers closed the game with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the mercy rule win.
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 2
The series finale ended up being a thrilling contest that saw Grambling State sneak past Alcorn State in the final inning.
With Alcorn State leading 2-0 in the bottom of the second,
Julian Murphy lit a fire under the GSU offense with one out triple to right field. After
Chris Marcellus reached base on catcher's interference, a balk allowed Murphy to cross home plate for GSU's first run of the game.
ASU had a chance to end the inning with the lead, but a fielding error a shortstop allowed another run to score, tying the game 2-2.
Trey Burrell ripped an RBI single past shortstop, putting GSU in front 3-2. Grambling State continued to pad its lead, crafting a 6-2 advantage heading into the sixth inning.
Alcorn State got a boost in the top of the sixth, tacking on five runs in the frame to take a 7-6 lead. GSU was forced to make a pair of pitching changes, using reliever
Javier Martinez to help get the Tigers out of the inning.
A sacrifice fly by Dillon Brown extended the Braves' advantage to 8-6 in the seventh inning.
In the bottom of the seventh,
Demarckus Smiley and
Jose Vargas drew back-to-back walks to open the inning.
Tiger Borom scored Smiley with an RBI double spanked into left field. After Walker was intentionally walked to load the bases,
Ashton Inman was hit by a pitch, bringing the tying run home.
Cameron Bufford brought the winning run home on a grounder to third base.
Martinez (1-1) notched the win in a relief appearance. He tossed 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on two hits. He fanned a batter and issued a walk.
UP NEXT
Grambling State travels to Natchitoches, La. to take on Northwestern State in a midweek contest on Tuesday, April 23. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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