Grambling wins first SWAC baseball title since 2010 with a wild finish

Just when it seemed the curtain was closing on Grambling State’s magical baseball season, the Tigers battled through adversity to claim its 10th Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Title, defeating Jackson State 6-5 on Sunday afternoon at Russ-Chandler Stadium.

GSU (26-26) overcame a 5-4 deficit in the ninth inning when Trevor Hatton’s RBI single tied the game, and an errant throw allowed Grambling State to plate the winning run, sending the Tigers to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.

Grambling State got a solid performance from its pitching staff. Javier Martinez (4-1) earned the win in a relief appearance, working 2.2 innings and striking out three batters. He surrendered one run on two hits.

Carlos Peguero got the start on the mound, working one full inning. Mason Martinez relieved him, pitching 3.2 innings and holding JSU to one run on two hits. Phillip Bryant contributed 1.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits.

The victory was Davin Pierre’s first title as head coach of the GSU baseball program and first championship since 2010.