HOUSTON, Texas | Grambling State struck first on Sunday afternoon, but Texas Southern used a series of big innings to pull away as the Tigers fell 12-1 at MacGregor Park.

Grambling State (9-17 overall, 6-3 SWAC) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, taking advantage of its only sustained offensive push of the day. After Aidan Lopez drew a leadoff walk, Shannon Martin ripped a double down the left-field line to put two runners in scoring position. Chris Marcellus followed with an RBI single to left, scoring Lopez for the early advantage.

However, that would be all Grambling State could generate against Texas Southern starter Justin Mays, who delivered a dominant outing. Mays (3-1) threw 8.0 innings, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out 12 and issuing three walks.

Texas Southern (12-11, 7-2) responded in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on a pair of home runs during a four-run frame. After a leadoff single by Byron Robinson, Evan Joubert connected for a two-run homer to give TSU a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning, an error extended the frame before Anthony Ruiz added a two-run home run of his own to make it 4-1.

TSU broke the game open with another four-run inning in the sixth, taking advantage of four walks and two hits. Nate Lopez drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in the first run of the inning, and RBI contributions from Christopher Chavez, Jonathan Trejo and Robinson pushed the lead to 8-1.

Texas Southern added four more runs in the eighth, punctuated by Robinson's second home run of the afternoon — a three-run shot to left.

Grambling State was held to two hits: Martin's second-inning double and Marcellus' RBI single. The Tigers also drew three walks but struck out 12 times.

On the mound, starter Shaun Mante (1-1) worked 4.0 innings, allowing four runs on four hits with three strikeouts. The bullpen combined for the remaining frames, with Mohamed Harati, Trenton Shaw, Hampton Phillips and Jacobie Smith all seeing action.

Texas Southern finished with nine hits, including home runs from Robinson, Joubert and Ruiz. Robinson drove in four runs and scored twice, while Trejo added two hits and two RBI.

UP NEXT
Grambling State travels to Starkville, Miss. for a midweek game at No. 6 Mississippi State. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Dudy Noble Field ans will be broadcast on SEC Network+. 

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