By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Sports Information
GULFPORT, Miss. — Grambling State University starting pitcher Erin Gibbs tossed complete game shutout, lifting the Tigers to a 4-0 win over Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division No. 1 seed Alabama State on Wednesday afternoon at the Gulfport Sportsplex in the 2023 SWAC Softball Tournament.
Gibbs (9-4) kept the Hornets off the board for seven innings, allowing seven hits, striking out three batters and walking one. Her performance was bolstered by solid backing from her defense.
Grambling State (32-20-1) registered three hits, but expressed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks, compared to just one issued to Alabama State’s batters.
After a scoreless three inning, the Tigers broke through I’m the top of the fourth, plating all four of their runs in the frame.
Lauren Ervin notched GSU’s first hit of the game in the fourth, with a lead off single. She moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Tytianna Robinson was then hit by a pitch, giving the Tigers two runners on base with no outs. Following a groundout, Deija Russell drew a walk to load the bases.
Anaiyah Fultz poked an RBI single over shortstop into centerfield, scoring the Tigers’ first run of the contest. Back-to-back bases loaded walks pushed GSU’s lead to 3-0. The Tigers made it 4-0 when India Wells hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Fultz to score.
Ervin accounted for two of GSU’s hits, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. Fultz went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Ashley Pye (5-7) was charged with the loss after surrendering four runs on two hits and five walks.
Up Next
Grambling State takes on Prairie View A&M, the No. 1 seed from the SWAC Western Division,in the winner’s bracket on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m.