Grambling at Bethune-Cookman

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Interstat) — The Southwestern Athletic Conference series opens Thursday night as Grambling visits Bethune-Cookman at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. The forecast calls for clear skies with temperatures in the mid-70s.

Grambling (21-26) enters the three-game set after a split of its doubleheader Saturday at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, winning 15-3 in the second game. The Tigers have alternated wins and losses over their last six contests.

Bethune-Cookman (35-17) dropped its series finale Sunday at Alabama State, 14-11, but has won eight of its last 12. The Wildcats lead the SWAC’s East Division.

Players to watch

Grambling right-hander Payton Allen has been dominant in two of his last three outings. On May 9 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Allen threw five innings of no-hit ball, allowing one earned run with five strikeouts in a 6-8 loss. On April 27 at Alcorn State, he worked six innings, yielding one earned run and zero hits with seven strikeouts in a 20-8 win. His other recent appearances have been shorter relief stints.

Bethune-Cookman third baseman Andrey Martinez has been a consistent power threat. In Sunday’s loss at Alabama State, he went 2-for-5 with two home runs and two RBIs. Over his last 11 games, Martinez has homered in four contests, including a blast May 5 at Stetson. He drove in two runs in each game of a May 1 doubleheader sweep of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Recent results

Grambling’s 15-3 win Saturday was fueled by starter Trevor Esparza (6.1 innings, three earned runs, six strikeouts) and second baseman Shannon Martin (2-for-3, two RBIs).

Bethune-Cookman’s Sunday loss featured Martinez’s two-homer game, second baseman Jeter Polledo’s 1-for-2, one-homer, four-RBI performance and starter Tanner Boccabello’s five-inning outing (five earned runs, one strikeout).

Series outlook

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-5 Grambling victory.

The teams continue the series Friday and Saturday, both at 6 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.