MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Grambling State rallied from an early deficit and collected 12 hits, but Alabama State held on late to defeat the Tigers 5-4 on Saturday evening at Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
With the loss, Grambling State fell to 4-13 on the season, while Alabama State improved to 9-8.
Grambling State struck first in the second inning. Martavius Thomas started the rally with a double down the right-field line before Dillon Braxton was hit by a pitch. Daniel Soukup II followed with an RBI single through the right side, scoring Thomas to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Alabama State answered in the bottom of the third inning. After loading the bases with a hit batter, a single and a walk, Trey Callaway delivered the decisive swing with a triple to center field that cleared the bases. A throwing error on the play allowed Callaway to score as well, giving the Hornets a 4-1 advantage.
The Tigers chipped away in the fourth inning. Thomas singled and Braxton was hit by a pitch to again put two runners aboard. Following a sacrifice bunt by Soukup, a passed ball allowed Thomas to score. Hasani Johnson then singled to left field to drive in Braxton and cut the deficit to 4-3.
Grambling State tied the game in the fifth. Shannon Martin drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Charles Ashe III delivered an RBI single up the middle, knotting the score at 4-4.
Alabama State regained the lead in the sixth inning when Skywalker Mann delivered an RBI single through the right side, scoring Alex Espaillat to put the Hornets back in front, 5-4.
The Tigers threatened multiple times late in the game. Grambling State loaded the bases with one out in the seventh inning, but Alabama State escaped the jam with a force play at the plate and a strikeout to maintain the lead. The Tigers again put runners on in the eighth and ninth innings but were unable to push across the tying run.
Thomas led the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Ashe also recorded two hits and an RBI, while Aidan Lopez and Cameron Hill each added two hits. Grambling State finished with 12 hits and drew six walks in the contest.
On the mound, Keyon Guillory started for Grambling State and struck out six over four innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits. Mohamed Horati (0-3) took the loss after surrendering one run over four innings in relief while striking out four.
Zane Baltz (1-0) earned the win in relief for Alabama State, while James Peterson picked up his second save of the season.
FOLLOW GRAMBLING ATHLETICS
Stay updated with Grambling State Athletics by following @GSU_Tigers on X, @gramblingathletics on Instagram, and /GramblingStateTigers1901 on Facebook, or by visiting gsutigers.com
