HOUSTON, Texas | Jackson State fell to Grambling State 8-7 in extra innings in the season opener on Day 1 of the Cactus Jack Classic at Daikin Park on Friday afternoon.

The Tigers jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with a three-run second inning before Grambling State tied it up with a three-run fifth inning. Grambling State (1-0) took its first lead of the game when Keanu Jacobs-Guishard hit a two-run home run down the left field line for the 6-4 lead before Jackson State tied it up with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Jackson State took a 7-6 lead in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Tate before Grambling State tied the game in the eighth inning and took the lead in the top of the 10th.

Jackson State (1-0) collected nine hits on the day with five of those split between Ledy Alvarez and Tyshon Patty. Alvarez finished the day 3-for-5 with a run scored. and Patty finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI. Four other players picked up a hit each including the two hitters in the top of the lineup in Robert Tate Jr. and Jordan McCladdie.

The Tigers used four pitchers on the day including starter Erick Gonzalez who went 4.1 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits with nine strikeouts. CJ Lewis pitched 2.0 innings and allowed a pair of runs on four hits before giving way to Miles Thomas who worked 0.2 innings and allowed one run. Nkosi Didder (0-1) worked the last 3.0 innings allowing one run (unearned) on one hit with four strikeouts in his debut.

How it Happened

• 1st inning - McCladdie scored on a wild pitch, Jackson State 1-0.
• 2nd inning - Hederick Torres singled to third base on a bunt (sacrifice attempt) and advanced to second; Alvarez advanced to third and scored on a  throwing error by 3b (unearned). Patty singled to left field (RBI) to score Torres. Joseph Eichelberger walked with the bases loaded  (RBI); McCladdie advanced to second; Tate advanced to third; Patty scored, Jackson State 4-0.
• 4th inning - Martin singled through the right side, advanced to second on the throw (RBI); Brown advanced to third, out at home; Bridges scored  (unearned), Jackson State 4-1.
• 5th inning - Hayes doubled down the lf line (RBI); Thomas advanced to third; Jacobs-Guishard scored. Bridges singled to right center, advanced to second  on the throw (2 RBI); Hayes scored; Thomas scored, 4-4.
• 6th inning - Jacobs-Guishard homered down the lf line (2 RBI);  Martin scored, Grambling State 6-4.
• 6th inning - McCladdie reached on a fielding error; Tate advanced to third; Patty scored (unearned). Wilbert Perez flied out to cf, sacrifice fly (RBI); Tate  scored (unearned), 6-6.
• 7th inning - Tate singled up the middle (RBI); Patty advanced to second; Hull scored, Jackson State 7-6.
• 8th inning - Thomas hit by pitch (RBI); Jacobs-Guishard advanced to second; Marcellus advanced to third; Martin scored, 7-7.
• 10th inning - Jacobs-Guishard flied out to cf, sacrifice fly (RBI); S. Martin scored, Grambling State 8-7.

Up Next
Jackson State returns to action on Day 2 of the Cactus Jack Classic on Saturday morning at 11 against Alabama A&M.

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