By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Associate AD for Athletic Communications
BATON ROUGE — A late grand slam by Grambling State’s Nyan Hayes lifted the Tigers to victory and completed a come from behind 12-10 victory over Southern on Thursday night at Lee-Hines Field.
Hayes, a senior infielder from New Orleans, La., found some late magic with an eighth inning grand slam to dash SU’s hopes of a series opening win. The homer highlighted a big day from him as he went 3-for-4 with a grand slam, a solo home run and five RBI.
Grambling State (11-17 overall, 7-3 SWAC) trailed 6-1 after four innings, but eroded Southern’s lead by reeling off 12 consecutive runs over the next four frames.
Hayes opened the scoring with a solo shot in the top of the first. With SU maintain a 6-1 lead, Keanu Jacobs-Guishard smacked a two-run homer, trimming the Jaguars lead in half, 6-3 in the top of the fifth.
Following a Southern solo home run in the bottom of the fifth, GSU pulled closer in the sixth. A two-RBI double by Shannon Martin, followed by a sacrifice fly by Martavius Thomas pulled the Tigers within a two, 7-5.
Trailing 8-5 in the top of the eighth, Grambling State rallied for seven runs. With the score tied 8-8, Hayes walloped a grand slam to push the Tigers in front 12-8.
Southern used a two-run homer in the ninth inning to make it a 12-10 game, but GSU closing pitcher Javier Martinezshut the door on the Jags to preserve the win. It was his third save of the season.
Mason Martinez got the start on the mound for Grambling State, going four innings and surrendering six runs on six hits. He delivered four strikeouts and walked two.
Ethan Bates (3-0) notched the win in a relief appearance after striking out one batter and allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks.
Renard Grace (1-4) was tagged with a loss after giving up five runs on seven hits. He had seven strikeouts and two walks.
UP NEXT
Grambling State continues its series at Southern on Friday night at Lee-Hines Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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