Clayborne, Williams, TSU Pitching Staff Comes Up Big In Win Over Grambling State

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Tyrese Clayborne and Tyler Williams combined for eight RBI as TSU claimed the series opener over Grambling State 8-2 on Thursday evening.

Grambling State struck first as they turned three straight singles in the first inning into a run on a passed ball for a 1-0 lead. GSU upped the lead to 2-0 in the second on a sac fly to right field. Despite the early setback, TSU regrouped as Jeremy Almaguer opened the second with a single followed by Reuben Bennevendo’s walk. Jordan Vidato loaded the bases after a one-out single which paved the way for Tyler Williams’ sac fly for a 2-1 deficit.

From there, TSU starter CJ Castillo and the TSU defense rose to the occasion and kept GSU at bay offensively. TSU moved on top in the fourth as Bennevendo drew a leadoff walk which paved the way for Clayborne’s shot to left field for a 3-2 lead. Grambling State attempted to put pressure on TSU in the fifth as they loaded the bases but Castillo forced an inning-ending pop up to leave them scoreless.

TSU would begin to create separation in the fifth as Almaguer led the inning off with a single and Clayborne walked two batters later. Vidato loaded the bases as he was hit by a pitch which paved the way for Tyler Williams’ three-RBI double to center for a 6-2 lead.

TSU’s defense did the rest as they shut GSU down the rest of the game while the offense added two more runs in the eighth as Clayborne’s two-RBI double scooted past the third baseman.

Almaguer went 2-for-4 and two runs while Clayborne finished 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBI and two walks. Williams had four RBI and one hit. CJ Castillo earned the win as he struck out four while allowing two runs in five innings. Adolf Castillo came on in relief and allowed one hit over three innings followed by a strikeout from George Osbourne.

The series resumes at 2 p.m. tomorrow at MacGregor Park.