GRAMBLING, La. | Southern used timely hitting and capitalized on Grambling State miscues to hold off a late rally and defeat the Tigers 7-5 on Friday evening at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.

With the loss, Grambling State fell to 11-21 overall and 8-8 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while Southern improved to 12-20 overall and 8-8 in the SWAC. 

Southern jumped out early, scoring a run in the first inning before plating three more in the second to take a 4-0 advantage. Xavier Bradley sparked the inning with a triple, and Jacoby Radcliffe and KJ White Jr. each delivered RBI hits as the Jaguars took control.

Grambling answered in the bottom of the second when Martavius Thomas laced an RBI double to left-center, scoring Chris Marcellus to cut the deficit to 4-1.

The Jaguars added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, extending their lead to 6-1. Southern pushed another run across in the eighth, taking advantage of a Grambling error to build a 7-1 cushion.

The Tigers mounted their strongest push in the bottom of the eighth inning. Cameron Hill opened the frame with a single, and Grambling loaded the bases with one out. Dillon Braxton drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home a run, and Aidan Lopez delivered the big blow, driving a triple to right field that cleared the bases and trimmed the deficit to 7-5.

Lopez led the Tigers offensively, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a triple. Braxton added an RBI and scored a run, while Hill chipped in with a hit and a run scored. 

Despite the late surge, Grambling could not complete the comeback. Southern reliever Caleb Ellis closed the door, retiring the Tigers in order over the final 1.1 innings to earn the save.

Grambling finished with eight hits but stranded 11 runners on base, while Southern totaled six hits and drew eight walks. Defensive miscues also proved costly for the Tigers, who committed three errors that led to multiple unearned runs. 

Keyon Guillory (2-2) took the loss for Grambling, allowing six runs, five earned, over 5.1 innings. Bobby Spencer (5-3) earned the win for Southern after tossing six innings and allowing just one run on four hits. 

UP NEXT
Grambling State continues its series with Southern on Saturday at WIlbert Ellis Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. 

Prior to the start of the game, GSU will honor legendary former player and MLB veteran Ralph Garr with a jersey retirement celebration. Grambling will retire his No. 10 jersey with a pregame cermony that begins at 2:30 p.m. Prior to the celebration, fans will have a chance to meet and greet with Ralph Garr beginning at 1 p.m. 

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