What looked to a be a total mauling of the Southern University Jaguars turned into a slugfest with the Grambling State University Tigers as GSU banged out a 16-11 victory, sweeping the Jags (8-21, 3-11 SWAC) in the weekend series.
With the win and a sweep, the Tigers have a three game strangle hold on the Southwestern Athletic Conference West with a couple of conference sweeps this season and as Southern drops a ninth consecutive game. In the Sunday (April 10) afternoon game at Lee Hinds Stadium, GSU collectively hit for 16 RBI’s and 14 knocks.
GSU (15-16, 11-4 SWAC) starting pitching Tanner Raiburn (1-4) was stellar in his first win of the season. Raiburn left 11 batters empty handed, finishing with 11 strikeouts — the most by any GSU pitcher this season — along with five hits and four runs in five compete innings. Torreon Woods added three strikeouts.
Shortstop Wesley Drain was phenomenal as he went 4-for-6 with three runs and six RBIs. Drain was most notable for two, out-of-the park bombs. His first came at his first plate appearance. Drain watched the first pitch go by, then he watched the next pitch sail 375 feet over the left field wall. His second blast came in the third, a two-run shot that he spanked another 375 feet. Drain had three home runs in the series.
Centerfielder Angel Peguero was a big time hitting machine, including a three shot homer in the eighth. Peguero went 2-for-6 with three run and three RBIs.
Third basemen Daniel Barnett went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs. Barnett smoked a pitch 375 feet over the left field wall for a solo home run in the second.
GSU raced out to an astonishing 11-0 lead, then Southern came back strong. The Jags added four runs at the bottom of fifth, three runs in the seventh and four runs in the eighth.
The GSU Tigers return to Baton Rouge Wednesday (April 13) to take on the Louisiana State University Tigers at Alex Box Stadium..