Grambling Downs Alabama St. 8-5 at MLB Urban Invitational

Four errors by Alabama State allowed Grambling
State to score six runs in the top of the 12th inning.
Photo by Robert H Kelly-TexSportPublications,
Copyright 2012, All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2012 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 18, 2012) In a game that was tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, GramblingState University (2-0) scored six runs in the top of the 12^th todown Alabama State University (0-2) 8-5 in the second game for both teams inthe MLB Urban Invitational at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Alabama State scored two runs in the seventh inning to takea 2-1 lead and was headed for the win when Grambling tied the score in the topof the ninth.

Alabama State connected for three runs in the bottom of the12^th but it was not enough to overcome the Tigers’ six-run inning.

The name of the game was errors and they were all off thegloves of Alabama State.

The Hornets’ shortstop Emmanuel Marrero and pinch hittingfirst baseman Lloyd Kelly each committed two errors for the four error total.

Tiger starting pitcher Richard Bautista hurled 7.1 inning,giving up two earned runs off three hits while striking out three.

Relief pitcher Michael Martin as credited with the win;pitching 1.1 innings while giving up three earned runs off three hits andstriking out two.

The Hornets’ Greg Matthews earned the loss after giving upsix runs, three of them earned, off five hits in the top of the 12^th.Healso walked two while striking out four.

Grambling State will next face Prairie View A&M onSunday, Feb. 19 with a 6:00pm start time.

Alabama State will take on Southern University at 2:30pm onSunday.

Both games will be played at the Houston Astros MLB Urban YouthAcademy  at Sylvester Turner Park inHouston.