GRAMBLING, La. – Ryan Sonnier hit his first home run of the season in the Braves' three-game series, but it was not enough to garner an Alcorn victory. Over three contests, Grambling State racked up 67 runs for the full sweep at Wilbert Ellis Field inside R.W.E. Jones Park. The Braves move to 2-26 overall and 2-17 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Tigers improve to 18-21 on the season and 13-5 in league play.
GAME ONE (L, 16-0)
Grambling pitcher Shemar Page became one of just over 30 pitchers in NCAA history to pitch a perfect game against the Braves on Friday night. Page faced 21 batters and threw just 84 pitches for a career-high 13 strikeouts.
Connecting for nine hits to score 16 runs, the Tigers defeated Alcorn 16-0. The catcher John Garcia led the Grambling offense with a 3-for-4 appearance with one run and four RBIs.
Tyler Daniels (0-1) took the loss on the mound for the Braves. He started the contest to pitch 2.2 innings with three hits against, 11 runs (10 earned), seven walks, and three strikeouts. Jamaal Green, Jamil Betancourt, Andrew Meadows, and Ryan Poston also spent time on the mound in the effort.
GAME TWO (L, 25-3)
On day two of the series, the Braves had a better showing, connecting for three hits for three runs. Sonnier collected his first home run of the season for two RBIs, while Diego Lopez-Molina and Daniels had one hit each. Daniels also recorded one ribbie.
Grambling put up 25 runs with 20 hits in their second series win. Julian Murphy headed the action at the plate with a perfect 4-for-4 appearance for four runs and two RBIs. Gracia led the team in RBIs with five.
Payton Baylis (0-2) received the pitching loss, throwing for 4.0 innings with 15 hits against, 13 earned runs, and two walks. Jacorey Boudreaux (6-2) collected the mound victory with 5.0 innings pitched, two hits against, two earned runs, and four strikeouts.
Grambling scored four runs in the first frame. Then, Sonnier's home run put two runs on the board for Alcorn in the second.
The Tigers collected five runs in the bottom of the second, two in the third, two in the fourth, and 12 in the fifth to take a 25-2 lead.
The Braves cut their lead to 25-3 with a run in the sixth as Khalil Smith came on a sacrifice fly by Daniels.
GAME THREE (L, 26-3)
Alcorn saw even more improvement in the final game on Sunday. Scoring three runs, the Braves connected for seven hits with just two fielding errors. Christopher Pittman saw two hits on three at-bats, and Garrett Palladino grabbed the Braves' only RBI.
Grambling committed its only series error on Sunday but tallied a season-high 22 hits. Murphy led the Tigers' offense again. This time, he had a 3-for-5 appearance, including one homer with four runs and six RBIs.
Palladino (0-1) received the pitching loss. He occupied the mound for 2.0 innings for 11 hits against, 12 runs (10 earned), and four walks.
Roy Peguero (2-3) earned the win, starting the game to throw for four innings with four hits against, one walk, and one strikeout.
Grambling dominated the contest's first half, scoring six runs in the first and second frame and grabbing 11 in the bottom of the third. The Tigers scored three more runs in the fifth inning for a 26-0 advantage going into the sixth.
The Braves prevented the shutout with three runs in the sixth. Smith scored on a wild pitch, Lopez-Molina scored on a passed ball, and Daniels came home on a single by Palladino.
UP NEXT
Alcorn returns home next weekend, hosting Prairie View A&M in a three-game series. The first game is Friday, April 29 at 3 p.m., with games on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
