GRAMBLING, La. – A day after postponing the first contest of the three-game series due to inclement weather on Friday, the Alcorn State baseball team ended up on the downside of a lopsided offensive day. Despite connecting for 19 hits in the now doubleheader, the Braves were unable to get runners home against the Grambling State Tigers, dropping the first contest 20-3 and narrowly missing in game two 7-6.
Game One
The offensive outburst by Grambling began at the outset of the game as they plated eight runs in the bottom of the second. The runs were generated on four walks and five hits, including four doubles.
Alcorn was able to cut into that lead with two runs in the top of the third frame. Dillon Crowell led off the inning to connect for the Brave's first hit of the day, doubling up the middle. Jaylon Lucky advanced to second base on balls, and Garrett Palladino delivered a single up the middle to load the bases. Crowell scored the first run on a sacrifice fly, and Kalum Banks, Jr. recorded an RBI with a single through the left side to score Lucky. Grambling still held an 8-2 advantage.
The Tigers extended their lead in the next half-inning. Three homers, a double, and a single would combine to give Grambling 10 runs in the bottom of the third to take the score to 18-2.
In the top of the fifth, the Braves plated their third and final run of the game on a single to left field by Banks, Jr., bringing home Tyler Daniels, who tripled to center field.
The Tigers' last runs came in the bottom of that inning, as they scored two on another home run.
As a team, the Braves had eight hits. Banks, Jr., had two hits on four at-bats for two RBIs. Three players for Alcorn had an extra-base hit, with Khalil Smith and Crowell doubling and Daniels hitting a triple.
Game Two
The Braves fared better in the day's second contest, keeping the score tight across nine innings. Alcorn outhit Grambling 11-8, but the Tigers were able to connect for more bases to take the Braves 7-6.
Grambling scored three runs during its first at-bats. The Tigers brought home two on a homer and a third run on a single.
The following two innings went by scoreless, and the Braves got within one of Grambling's lead in the top of the fourth. CJ Chatman singled to the pitcher and collected two RBIs as Banks, Jr., and Jermel Ford came home. Ford made it to base on a single, and Banks, Jr. reached first on a walk.
Grambling added two to the board in the bottom of the fifth and sixth to extend its lead to 7-2.
But Alcorn answered with two runs in the top of the seventh. Palladino singled to right field to bring Dereco Crosby and Mason Duke around the bases. Duke reached first on a single, and Crosby pinch ran for B. Luckett, who also made it to first on a single.
Down 7-4, Alcorn did not throw in the towel, putting up extra runs in the game's final frame. The Braves scored two runs in the ninth. Crowell doubled to left field, and Tyler Daniels walked to first. They both advanced one base on a fielder's choice. Lucky singled to center field to bring both Daniels and Crowell home.
Eight Braves contributed to the 11-hit game. Lucky, Duke, and Ben Luckett had two hits each, and Crowell connected for a double.
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