DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Grambling jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 7-2 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Wildcats will have to wait until tomorrow for a chance to clinch the SWAC Regular Season Title with a win or a Southern loss to Alabama A&M.
The Tigers (21-29, 17-11) struck first in the opening inning. Martavius Thomas singled to begin the game before Trey Bridges doubled into scoring position. Cameron Hill followed with an RBI single and Hasani Johnson added an RBI double to give Grambling a 2-0 advantage.
Bethune-Cookman (36-18, 22-7) answered in the bottom half of the inning. Andrey Martinez doubled down the left field line before Michael Rodriguez singled to put runners on the corners. Maikol Lucena then grounded out to shortstop to bring home Martinez and cut the deficit to 2-1.
Grambling extended its lead in the second inning with back-to-back solo home runs from Chris Marcellus and Ryan Davis to push the score to 4-1.
Both pitching staffs settled in over the middle innings as the Tigers held the Wildcats scoreless through the sixth. Trevor Esparza worked 5.2 innings for Grambling, allowing one run on six hits.
The Tigers added another run in the sixth inning when Marcellus delivered an RBI double to left field, extending the lead to 5-1.
Bethune-Cookman attempted to rally in the seventh. Martinez launched a solo home run to left field to trim the deficit to 5-2, but the Wildcats were unable to generate any further offense against Grambling reliever Rafael Capistran.
Grambling added two insurance runs in the ninth inning. Cameron Hill lined an RBI single to left before Hasani Johnson lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to make it 7-2.
Esparza earned the win for Grambling, while Capistran picked up the save. Harbersting Abreu was charged with the loss for the Wildcats.
- Andrey Martinez led the way for the Wildcats with two hits, including double and a home run.
- Sergio Rivera had two hits.
- Michael Rodriguez recorded a hit and a walk to extend his on-base streak.
- Travis Esparza picked up the win despite not recording a strikeout in 5.2 innings of work.
- Grambling out-hit the WIldcats 11 to eight.
The Wildcats' final regular season game is set for tomorrow at 5 p.m. EST.
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--#HailWildcats--
