The Grambling State University baseball team opened its season going 2-1 in the Andre Dawson Classic last weekend at Wesley Barrow Stadium in New Orleans.
On Friday, Feb. 15 the Tigers defeated Eastern Kentucky 7-4, On Saturday, Feb. 16 they fell to rivals Southern University 6-5 and on Sunday, Feb. 17 the Tigers came back to pick up a 3-1 victory against Alabama State.
Eastern Kentucky vs. GSU
In the GSU baseball team’s first game of the season they overcame a three run deficit to take the victory.
Eastern Kentucky struck first with three runs at the top of the third.
Grambling State answered back with two runs at the bottom of the third. Garrett Smith doubled to left field, then Kristian Franklin singled to send Smith home. Jahmoi Percival singled to advance Franklin. Franklin advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Drexler Macaay and was plated on a Rafael Ramirez single.
Eastern Kentucky added a run at the top of the fourth, but the Tigers matched with a run at the bottom of the frame as GSU trailed 4-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, Richard Ortiz walked then Isaiah Torres doubled to score Ortiz as the score was tied at four runs at the bottom of the fifth.
The Tigers added two more runs in the sixth and a run in the seventh for the victory.
Southern University vs. GSU
Southern led off with one run in the first inning but the Tigers matched that with a run at the top of the second inning. The Jaguars plated another run at the top of the second to take the advantage.
In the bottom of the fifth, Garrett Smith walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jahmoi Percival walked, then Drexler Macaay was hit by a pitch as the bases were loaded. Isaiah Torres belted his first grand slam home run of the year as the Tigers held a 5-2 advantage.
Southern answered back with three runs at the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game at five runs. A home run by Coby Taylor in the bottom of the ninth inning sealed the victory for Southern.
Alabama State vs. GSU
Alabama State struck first with a run at the top of the first inning.
At the bottom of the frame, the Tigers were able to score three runs after the Hornets put in a new pitcher Aj Stinson.
Grambling State junior pitcher Jason Alvarez had his debut on the mound as a Tiger and pitched seven innings. He gave only gave up one run on four hits, struck out 10 batters and walked five.
Notes
– The Grambling State University baseball team placed five members on the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Preseason teams: Drexler Macaay (catcher), Richard Ortiz (designated hitter) and Isaiah Torres (outfielder) on the first team, while Rafael Ramirez (first baseman) and Ace Felder (outfielder) were named to the second team.
– The Tigers finished last season 26-26 overall, 14-10 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and a loss to Texas Southern in the SWAC Championship.