PINE BLUFF, Ark. | The Grambling State Tigers dropped the opening game of their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, falling 16-1 on Friday afternoon at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.
Grambling State moved to 19-27 overall and 16-9 in SWAC play on the season following the setback.
UAPB jumped out early, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first inning to take control of the contest. The Golden Lions capitalized on a combination of walks and hit batters before Zyon Hamilton delivered a two-run single to right-center field.
The Golden Lions added two more runs in the third inning to extend the lead to 8-0 before plating three runs in the fourth to move ahead 11-0.
Grambling State got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Shannon Martin drew a walk and advanced to third after James Woody ripped a double down the left-field line. Martin later crossed the plate on a passed ball to account for the Tigers' lone run of the afternoon.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered in the bottom half of the fifth inning, highlighted by Hamilton's three-run homer to left field, stretching the advantage to 15-1. The Golden Lions added one final run in the sixth inning.
The Tigers recorded two hits in the game, with Woody and Aidan Lopez each tallying doubles. Grambling State also drew four walks in the contest.
Kenney Fabian earned the win for UAPB after tossing a complete game, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out seven.
Keyon Guillory was charged with the loss for Grambling State. Hampton Phillips, Jacobie Smith and Kejuan Burnett all appeared in relief for the Tigers.
Hamilton led the Golden Lions offensively, going 3-for-3 with five RBIs, while Konner Giddley added three hits and scored four runs.
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
