BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Grambling State baseball will look to bounce back in the elimination bracket of the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball Tournament after dropping a 10-0 decision to Alabama State on Wednesday afternoon at historic Rickwood Field.
The Tigers moved to 21-31 overall and will face the loser of Wednesday night's contest between No. 1 seed Bethune-Cookman and No. 8 seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Thursday's elimination game.
Grambling State battled early and created scoring opportunities throughout the afternoon but was unable to capitalize against Alabama State pitching.
The Tigers threatened in the second inning after Shannon Martin, Martavius Thomas and Ryan Davis were each hit by pitches to load the bases with two outs. However, ASU escaped the jam with a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.
Grambling State put another runner in scoring position in the third inning when Aidan Lopez singled to left-center field, but the Hornets turned away the threat.
Alabama State seized momentum in the bottom of the third inning. After consecutive singles loaded the bases, Miguel Oropeza connected on a two-out grand slam to left field to give the Hornets a 4-0 lead.
Alabama State added another run in the fourth inning to extend the advantage to 5-0.
The Tigers mounted their best opportunity in the top of the sixth inning. Lopez opened the frame with a single before Charles Ashe III followed with a base hit through the left side. Chris Marcellus then drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Alabama State, however, escaped the inning without allowing a run.
The Hornets added two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and three more in the eighth to secure the run-rule victory.
Lopez led Grambling State offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with a walk. Trey Bridges also recorded two hits, while Ashe III and Marcellus each contributed a hit.
Keyon Guillory started on the mound for the Tigers and pitched five innings, striking out two batters. Hampton Phillips added three strikeouts in relief work.
Oropeza paced Alabama State with three hits, including a home run and five RBIs.
UP NEXT
Grambling State returns to action on Thursday in an elimination game against the loser of Wednesday night's matchup between Bethune-Cookman and Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Rickwood Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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