ATLANTA, Ga. | It was a tough night for Grambling State, falling to the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Champions Florida A&M 17-7 on Thursday evening at Russ-Chandler Stadium.
Although the Tigers attempted to battle back, an early 11-0 deficit was too much to overcome.
The loss sets up a rematch and elimination game versus SWAC Eastern Division No. 3 seed Alabama State on Friday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless first inning, FAMU poured on eight runs in the second inning to take a commanding 8-0 lead.
- With the Rattlers ahead 11-0 in the top of the Cameron Bufford walloped a 2-run homer to left field, cutting the deficit to 11-2.
- In the top of the sixth, trailing 13-2, Grambling State's Julian Murphy smoked a 2-run shot the straightaway center field, making it a 13-4 contest.
- GSU continued to cut into FAMU's lead when Martavius Thomas came up to the plate with the bases loaded and laced a 2-RBI single through the right side of the infield. Tiger Borom's sacrifice fly made it a 13-7 game.
- Florida A&M put the game away in their final two at-bats, tacking on four runs to secure the win in the seventh inning.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Grambling State scored seven runs on seven hits. The Tigers left six runners on base and committed one error.
- Cameron Bufford and Julian Murphy led the Tigers at the plate. Bufford went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a home run. Murphy was 1-for-4 with two RBI and a home run as well.
- Florida A&M scored 17 runs on 13 hits. The Rattler stranded 10 runners.
- Ty Jackson paced FAMU, doing 4-for-4 with four RBI and a double.
- The Rattlers hit two home runs.
- Charles Jackson (1-3) was charged with the loss, pitching 1.0 innings, surrendering four runs on two hits and five walks. He struck out two batters.
- GSU used six pitchers.
- Carson Kelly (8-3) got the win for FAMU, allowing five runs on six hits. He struck out four and walked one.
UP NEXT
Grambling State takes on Alabama State in an elimination game on Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. The winner faces Florida A&M at 6 p.m.
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