MONTGOMERY, Miss. (Interstat) — Cameron Hill had three hits, including a home run and three RBIs, to lead Grambling to an 11-4 victory over Alcorn State on Friday in the first game of a Southwestern Athletic doubleheader at Foster Baseball Field at McGowan Stadium.

Hill, a left fielder, went 3 for 6 with a triple and a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning that put the game out of reach. He also doubled and scored twice. The Tigers improved to 16-23 overall, while the Braves fell to 3-34.

Grambling collected 13 hits, with first baseman Aidan Lopez also going 3 for 4 with an RBI. Trey Bridges drove in two runs despite only one hit in four at-bats, including a triple. Shortstop Martavius Thomas scored three times and drew two walks.

Alcorn State had 11 hits, led by third baseman Chase Moore who went 3 for 4. Center fielder Kanious Davis added two hits, a triple and a run scored. The Braves scored twice in the first inning and took a 3-2 lead in the fourth, but Grambling answered with a decisive four-run sixth.

The Tigers’ pitching staff allowed only four earned runs over nine innings. Starter Keyon Guillory worked five innings, surrendering three earned runs on no hits? He walked three and struck out one, but the Braves’ early runs came via a fielder’s choice and a groundout. Hampton Phillips threw two scoreless innings, allowing no hits with three strikeouts. Rafael Capistran closed the final two innings, giving up one earned run on two hits while striking out three.

Alcorn State starter Devin Kriley lasted four innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts. Jose Cherena relieved and went five innings, giving up five earned runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts.

The game’s most pivotal moment came in the top of the sixth with the score tied 3-3. Thomas led off with a double and advanced to third on a throwing error by Cherena. After a strikeout, Bridges tripled down the right-field line to score Thomas, giving Grambling the lead. Hill followed with an RBI double, then Lopez singled to drive in Hill, and Julio Vasquez added an RBI single. The four-run outburst put Grambling ahead 7-3 and the Braves never recovered.

Alcorn State narrowed the deficit to 7-4 in the eighth on Davis’ triple and a sacrifice fly, but Hill’s two-run homer in the ninth, scoring Bridges who had walked, restored the six-run margin.

Grambling took a 2-0 lead in the fourth after Bridges’ fielder’s choice and a pickoff play that allowed Thomas to score. The Braves had taken a 2-0 lead in the first when Michael Bonelli’s fielder’s choice brought in two runs. Alcorn State made it 3-2 in the fourth on Jamir Hollway’s groundout.

Hill has been productive in recent games, with a home run and two RBIs in a win over Prairie View on April 17. He was held hitless in a loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on April 21.

Grambling had won three of its last four entering the doubleheader, including a sweep of Prairie View. Alcorn State had lost 13 straight games, with its last win coming April 11 at Texas Southern.

The Tigers continued their recent success against the Braves, having won the last head-to-head meeting 11-1 on Feb. 13.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Grambling 3, Alcorn State 2, and Interstat’s ELO system gave Grambling an 84.50 percent probability to win.