Contributed by: Grambling Athletic Communications
MONROE, La. | The Grambling State University baseball team jumped out to an early lead, but it was short lived as Louisiana-Monore used a seven-run first inning to pick up a 16-2 victory on Tuesday night at Warhawk Field.
Grambling State (22-20) struck first in the opening inning as Ace Felder led off the game with a base hit up the middle and Marshawn Taylor followed with a single to center to move Felder to third. Richard Ortiz bounced into a double play as Felder scored to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Louisiana-Monroe (19-25) answered and used a seven-run inning, highlighted by back-to-back homers by Chad Bell and Brendan Jordan, to grab a 7-1 advantage.
The Warhawks, who avenged a loss to the Tigers two weeks ago, added to the lead with a solo homer by Peyton Lacoste to push the margin to 8-1 in the second.
Grambling State battled back in the top of the third with two outs as Felder singled and advanced to second on a passed ball. Taylor followed with a base hit to center as Felder came around to score, cutting the gap to 8-2.
The Warhawks quickly answered with a five-run third and extended the lead to 13-2.
Louisiana-Monroe put the game away in the sixth with a three-run sixth to push the margin to 16-2.
Grambling State returns to action for a big Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series in Houston, Texas this weekend to take on Texas Southern.
The two teams met earlier this season, with Grambling State taking two-of-three from Texas Southern.
Texas Southern currently holds a three-game in the SWAC West standings. Should Grambling State sweep TSU, GSU would win the SWAC West Division championship.
