GRAMBLING, La. | On Senior Day, Grambling State delivered one of its most explosive performances of the season, storming back from an early deficit to defeat Florida A&M 19-9 on Sunday afternoon at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
With the win, Grambling improved to 19-26 overall and 16-8, using a relentless offensive attack and a dramatic momentum swing midway through the game to secure the victory.
Florida A&M (21-22, 16-8) appeared in control early, breaking the game open with a seven-run third inning and adding two more runs in the fourth to take a commanding 9-3 lead.
GSU, however, refused to let Senior Day slip away.
The Tigers began chipping away in the fourth inning, scoring twice on sacrifice flies from Cameron Hill and Chris Marcellus to cut the deficit to 9-5. The comeback gained serious traction in the fifth when Trey Bridges launched a solo home run before Hill delivered a two-run blast to left-center, trimming the margin to just one run at 9-8.
Grambling State seized control in the sixth inning.
Taking advantage of walks, hit-by-pitches and defensive miscues, the Tigers plated six runs in the frame. The decisive blow came off the bat of Hill, who crushed his second home run of the day — a grand slam to left field — to give Grambling a 14-9 lead and complete the comeback.
The Tigers continued to pour it on in the seventh, adding five more runs to put the game out of reach.
Hill turned in a dominant performance at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two home runs and eight RBIs, leading a 17-hit attack. Bridges also had a standout day, scoring four runs and driving in three, while Aidan Lopez scored four times and added three RBIs. Charles Ashe III chipped in three hits and two RBIs, and Martavius Thomas added three hits of his own.
On the mound, Rafael Capistran (2-3) earned the win in relief, tossing three scoreless innings to stabilize the game after Florida A&M's early surge.
Grambling State's Senior Day celebration turned into a showcase of resilience, as the Tigers overcame a six-run deficit and erupted for 16 runs over the final four innings to secure the victory in front of the home crowd.
UP NEXT
Grambling State takes on Pine Bluff, Ark. next weekend for a three-game series at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The series begins Friday, May 8 at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
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