image via Grambling Softball
Courtesy of Grambling Athletics
Grambling State split its Friday matchups at the Turner Lake Softball Complex, earning a dominant 9-0 shutout victory over Maryland Eastern Shore before falling 8-5 in extra innings to Howard.
In the opener, the Lady Tigers (2-3) set the tone early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Kamryn Broussard’s RBI triple brought in Kaytlyn Moore, followed by a groundout from Tavia Leadon that allowed Broussard to cross the plate.
Grambling State extended its lead to 4-0 in the second when Cadashia Collins delivered a key single up the middle, driving in Deija Russell and Hailey Hughes.
A five-run fourth inning put the game out of reach, as bases-loaded walks to Collins, Broussard, and Leadon pushed three more runs across before Z’Natria Evans capped the scoring with a two-RBI sacrifice fly.
Erin Gibbs (1-2) was nearly untouchable in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout, allowing just one hit while striking out three over five innings.
Later in the evening, Grambling State (2-4) engaged in a hard-fought battle with Howard, ultimately falling 8-5 in extra innings.
The Lady Tigers struck first in the opening inning on Leadon’s RBI single, but Howard responded with a bases-loaded walk in the second and an RBI double in the third to take a 2-1 lead.
Grambling State tied the game in the bottom of the third when Katelynn Walls lifted a sacrifice fly to score Collins. However, Howard capitalized on defensive mistakes in the fifth to plate two unearned runs, then added another on an RBI double in the sixth for a 5-2 lead.
The Lady Tigers refused to go down quietly. In the seventh, Broussard doubled to center to score Lexi Hope, and Leadon came through with a clutch two-run triple, bringing home Broussard and Collins to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings.
However, defensive struggles in the eighth proved costly, as Howard took advantage of errors to score three unearned runs. The Lady Tigers were unable to rally in the bottom half, as Howard’s Jordin King secured the save.
Despite the loss, Grambling State saw strong individual performances. Collins went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Leadon finished 3-for-4 with three RBI. Broussard and Walls also contributed RBIs. Pitcher Yasmyn Stewart (0-2) battled through eight innings, allowing only two earned runs in a tough loss.
UP NEXT
Grambling State will return to action on Saturday, February 15, with a pair of matchups at the Turner Lake Softball Complex in Covington, Georgia. The Lady Tigers will face Fort Valley State at 10 a.m., followed by a 2 p.m. contest against Hampton.
