MONROE, La. – The Grambling Tigers were swept in weekend play in a three-game series against Sun Belt opponent University of Louisiana at Monroe in an I-20 showdown.
Here’s how the weekend’s action played out:
Game 1
ULM 15
Grambling 0
The Tigers (3-2) got behind 5-0 in the first inning and couldn’t recover all game where they struggled to hit all evening in 38 degree weather. Grambling’s first and only recorded hit came in the seventh inning.
Starting pitcher Bryan Delgado (1-1) was credited with his first loss of the season as he struck out a total of four Warhawk batters and gave up seven earned runs in two innings of work. In the first inning alone he threw a total of 40 pitches for Grambling.
Grant Landry came in relief of Delgado and produced three strike outs and gave up four earned runs in four innings of work for Grambling.
Game 2
ULM 7
Grambling 6
The G-Men led 4-1 in the top of the fourth inning when Jahmoi Percival drew a base on balls with the bases loaded, bringing home Michael Mims for the score. From that moment on, Louisiana-Monroe went on a 6-2 run, scoring two runs in the fifth and an additional four runs in the sixth inning. However, Grambling (3-3) nearly rallied back as they cut the deficit to one run in the top of the eighth when Miguel Medina generated a RBI-single to left center, allowing teammate Ian Bailey to cross home plate, but the Tigers could not get that one lucky run to tie the ball game after giving up the 4-1 lead.
Starting pitcher Marc Luna pitched a total of five innings, striking out five Warhawk batters and giving up three earned runs; however, JC Bonilla came in relief and was credited with the loss (0-1). Bonilla struck out one batter but gave up four earned runs in three innings of work for the Tigers.
Game 3
ULM 23
Grambling 12
In the series finale, Grambling (3-4) gave up the most runs of the season in a game but at the same time also scored their season-high in runs.
After trailing 11-0, Rafael Ramirez III launched a ball to right field for a 3-RBI home run, bringing home Nehemiah (Nemo) Wright and Ry Clark. Louisiana-Monroe responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, then Grambling retaliated with an additional three runs in the top of the sixth inning when Jake Lane hit an RBI-double down the left field line, bringing home Media for the score. Moments later, Clark produced a two-RBI single up the middle which brought home Lane and Bailey.
The Warhawks scored four more runs in the next two innings before Grambling scored a whopping six runs in the top of the eighth inning when Wright produced an RBI-single. Ramirez then followed up with a three-RBI double down the right field line, then teammate Bailey generated an RBI-single to left center. Lane then hit an RBI-single to left center field to round out the scoring for Grambling.
Louisiana-Monroe ended the inning with four additional runs, bringing the score to 23-12.
Starting pitcher Jason Alvarez (0-1) was credited with the loss as he gave up eight runs and struck out two batters in three innings of work for the Tigers. Grambling used a total of five pitchers in the loss.
Up Next
Grambling State returns to action on Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, February 21 as they host NAIA opponent Texas College in a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 1 p.m. at the Wilbert Ellis Field at Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones Park.
