GRAMBLING, La. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team collected 12 hits and held a four-run lead late, but could not hold on as the Bulldogs fell, 9-8, to Grambling State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series opener on Friday at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
Alabama A&M led 8-4 going into the bottom of the eighth inning, but a four-run frame by Grambling State tied the game at 8 and the Tigers won it in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off homer.
Grambling State (6-14 overall, 3-1 SWAC) struck for a run in the bottom of the first inning, but Alabama A&M responded in the top of the second with six runs on three hits.
Brycen Hammonds opened the frame with a solo homer to left, tying the game at 1.
Chris Walker singled through the left side and moved to second when
Devante Wells drew a walk.
Miles Jackson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. With one out,
Tarris Murray walked to score Walker from third.
Tervell Johnson, the SWAC Newcomer of the Week, brought everyone home with a grand slam to left center, extending AAMU's lead to 6-1.
The Tigers closed the gap to 6-4 with three runs on two hits in the bottom of the third, but a Murray solo shot to left push the Bulldog lead to 7-4 in the fourth.
Alabama A&M (7-17, 2-2) added a run in the eighth as
Wilmer Cuevas brought home
Keilon Parnell on a two-out single to right as the Bulldogs stretched the advantage to 8-4.
Grambling State rallied in the bottom of the eighth as the Tigers took advantage of four walks, one hit batter and one wild pitch to tie the game at 8.
The Tigers won the game in the bottom of the ninth with two outs as Chris Marcellus homered to deep center.
Johnson (four RBIs), Hammonds, Walker and Murray each finished with two hits.
Anthony Mateo gave up four runs on six hits, fanned seven and walked three in 5.2 innings.
William Tarpley and
Antonio Torres (0-4) pitched in relief.
Keevyn Goss started on the mound for the Tigers and surrendered six runs on four hits and walked five in two innings. Trevor Esparza, Hampton Phillips and Payton Allen (3-0) worked out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M continues its three-game SWAC series against Grambling State on Saturday. First pitch against the Tigers from Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park is set for 3 p.m.
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).
