Grambling State’s stay in the winner’s bracket at the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament proved short-lived Wednesday afternoon as Alabama State used one swing to seize control and never let go in a 10-0 run-rule victory at historic Rickwood Field.
The Tigers, now 21-31 overall, were unable to capitalize on several early scoring opportunities before Miguel Oropeza’s third-inning grand slam swung momentum decisively in favor of the Hornets.
Grambling State will now face an elimination game Thursday against the loser of Wednesday night’s matchup between top-seeded Bethune-Cookman and No. 8 seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Despite the final score, the Tigers threatened multiple times early against Alabama State pitching.
Grambling State loaded the bases in the top of the second inning after Shannon Martin, Martavius Thomas and Ryan Davis were all hit by pitches with two outs. Alabama State escaped the jam with a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.
The Tigers threatened again in the third when Aidan Lopez singled to left-center field and moved into scoring position, but the Hornets again worked out of trouble.
Alabama State broke through in the bottom half of the third inning. After consecutive singles loaded the bases, Oropeza blasted a two-out grand slam to left field to give the Hornets a 4-0 advantage.
The Hornets added another run in the fourth inning before gradually pulling away late.
Grambling State’s best opportunity came in the sixth inning when Lopez led off with a single and Charles Ashe III followed with a base hit through the left side. Chris Marcellus then drew a walk to load the bases with no outs, but Alabama State escaped without surrendering a run.
The Hornets added two runs in the sixth inning and three more in the eighth to secure the run-rule victory.
Lopez led Grambling State offensively, going 2-for-3 with a walk. Trey Bridges also recorded two hits, while Ashe III and Marcellus each added a hit.
Keyon Guillory started on the mound for the Tigers and pitched five innings while striking out two batters. Hampton Phillips recorded three strikeouts in relief.
Oropeza paced Alabama State offensively with three hits, including the grand slam, and finished with five RBIs.
