Smiley goes yard twice in Grambling’s 14-12 win over Priaire View

^{title image via Grambling Baseball}

courtesy of Grambling Athletics

14

Winner GSUBB-2

12

PVAMBB

W: Bryant, Phillip (2-2) L: Tyson Carlton (0-3)  S: Martinez, Javier (1)

Grambling State catcher Demarckus Smiley hit a pair of homers as Grambling State earned a series clinching 14-12 win over Prairie View A&M at Tankersley Field on Saturday afternoon. 

Smiley, a senior from Selma, Ala., paced the Grambling State offense going 4-for-5 with home runs in the in the second and sixth innings to go along with a double and three RBI. 

Tiger Borom also had a big day at the plate also driving in three runs while going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. 

As a team, GSU (12-16 overall, 9-1 SWAC) hit four homers and racked up 15 hits. The Tigers have also scored 10 or more runs in eight of their 10 conference games. 

Phillip Bryant (2-2) earned the win on the mound, working 3.1 innings and surrendering eight runs on four hits. Javier Martinezearned his first save of the year after fanning three batters in 2.2 innings pitched. He gave up three runs on one hit. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Tiger Borom got the game started with a bang, smashing a leadoff homer to give GSU the early 1-0 lead. After PVAMU (13-19, 4-7 SWAC) plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, Smiley tied things up 2-2 with his first home run of the game. 
• Borom moved Grambling State in front with an RBI double scored into right centerfield to make it a 3-2 game. 
• In the third inning, Jalyn Bennett grew GSU’s advantage to 4-2 with an RBI single to first base. Martavius Thomassingled in a pair of runs to stretch the Tigers’ lead to 6-2. Borom drew a bases loaded walk to make 7-2 heading into the bottom of the frame. 
• PVAMU’s Jadin Moreno hit a 2-RBI single in the bottom of the third, cutting Grambling’s lead to 7-4.
• Smiley addend to GSU’s margin in the fourth with an RBI single. Jose Vargasmade it 10-4 with a two-RBI single.
• The Panthers put up four runs in the bottom of the inning, closing the to two runs, 10-8.
• Smiley’s second long ball of the game push the lead to 11-8 in the sixth inning. And Prairie View A&M error and a passed ball gave the Tigers a little more breathing room in the seventh inning, stretching the advantage to 13-8. 
• The Panthers tried the rally in the seventh and eighth innings, trimming GSU lead down to a run, 13-12.
• Aries Gardener put a bow on GSU’s victory with a solo homer in the top of the ninth.
• Javier Martinez shut the door quickly in the bottom of the ninth with a three up, three down frame to preserve the win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Grambling State finished with 14 runs on 15 hits. GSU left 13 runners on base and committed one error.
• Prairie View A&M recorded 12 runs on seven hits. They committed two errors and left four runners stranded.
• Tyson Carlton (0-3) was the losing pitcher, giving up nine runs on eight hits in 3.2 innings pitched. He struck out three batters and walked five. 

UP NEXT
Grambling State wraps its series at Prairie View on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. 

Next Game:
at Prairie View A&M University
4/7/2024 | 1 p.m