By Curtis Ford, Grambling State AD for Athletic Communications
RUSTON — Grambling State split its Saturday doubleheader versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff, falling 6-2 in game one before bouncing back and rolling to an 8-3 win in the game two. The games were played at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park on the campus of Louisiana Tech.
Game One
In the first game, Grambling State couldn’t find its rhythm on offense, scattering four hits across nine innings. It was GSU’s lowest hit total since registering two hits against Northwestern State on March 11.
Grambling State starter Mason Martinez(3-3) went seven innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts. Reliever Hampton Phillips pitched the final two innings, giving up two runs on two hits.
The Golden Lions jumped out early with a two-run second inning and never relinquished the lead. Despite a late push in the eighth inning, the Tigers couldn’t close the gap.
GSU’s only scored its two runs the bottom of the eighth when Trey Bridgeslaced a two-run double to cut the deficit to 5-2. Bridges went 1-for 2 and picked up the only extra-base hit of the day for the Tigers.
Chris Marcellus had a pair of singles, while Nyan Hayes added a hit and a run scored.
UAPB’s Kenny Fabian (4-6) earned the win after surrendering just two hits while striking out four.
Game Two
Powered by a dominant offensive performance from Jaylyn Bennett and a strong start on the mound by Ethan Bates, GSU team took down UAPB, 8-3 in the second game of the day.
Bennett led the Tigers (20-23, 15-8 SWAC) with a 3-for-4 day, collecting a double, triple, home run, and three RBIs—finishing just a single shy of the cycle. His solo shot in the seventh inning sealed an already commanding lead for GSU.
The Tigers jumped out early, plating a run in the first and two more in the second, highlighted by an RBI single from Keanu Jacobs-Guishard and a sacrifice fly from Trey Bridges. Bridges added another RBI in the fourth, and Bennett’s two-run triple in the fifth gave Grambling a 7-2 advantage.
On the mound, Ethan Bates remained unbeaten, improving to 5-0 after tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball, scattering eight hits while striking out seven in a relief appearnace.
Starting pitcher Randy Reyes pitched 3.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out one.
Grambling State showed its speed and aggression on the base paths, swiping six bases in the game.
UAPB’s Major Spence (0-2) was charged with the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in four innings of work.
UP NEXT
Grambling State wraps its series with Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday afternoon at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston, La. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.