DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Interstat) — The Grambling Tigers rebounded from a one-sided loss a day earlier, defeating the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 7-2 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game Friday evening.

Grambling improved to 22-27 overall, while Bethune-Cookman dropped to 36-18. The Tigers outhit the Wildcats 11-8, scoring early and adding insurance runs late.

The Tigers wasted no time, plating three runs in the top of the first inning. Martavius Thomas singled to left center and Trey Bridges doubled to right field, moving Thomas to third. After a strikeout, Cameron Hill singled to left field, driving in Thomas and sending Bridges to third. Hill was caught stealing, but Hasani Johnson followed with a double to right field that scored Bridges.

Bethune-Cookman answered in the bottom of the first. Andrey Martin doubled to left field and Michael Rodriguez singled to left center, putting runners at the corners. Maikol Lucena grounded out to shortstop, allowing Martin to score to make it 3-1.

Grambling struck again in the second. Chris Marcellus homered to left field, and Ryan Davis followed with a homer to left center, extending the lead to 5-1.

The Wildcats threatened in the third when Rodriguez walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but was left stranded.

Bethune-Cookman got a run back in the seventh. Andrey Martin homered to left field, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

Grambling responded in the top of the ninth. Ryan Davis was hit by a pitch, and Thomas singled to right field. After a sacrifice bunt, Aidan Lopez walked to load the bases. Cameron Hill singled to left field, driving in Davis. Hasani Johnson then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Thomas to make it 7-2.

The Wildcats mounted a final threat in the bottom of the ninth. Jeter Polledo singled to shortstop, but was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice. Sergio Rivera and Darryl Lee struck out swinging to end the game.

Trevor Esparza earned the win for Grambling, pitching into the sixth inning while allowing one run. Rafael Capistran relieved Esparza in the sixth and finished the game, surrendering Martin’s home run but otherwise holding the Wildcats in check.

Chris Marcellus led the Tigers with a home run and a double. Ryan Davis also homered for Grambling. Cameron Hill had two RBIs on two hits, and Hasani Johnson drove in two runs with a double and a sacrifice fly.

For Bethune-Cookman, Andrey Martin homered and doubled, providing the only two runs. Harbersting Abreu started on the mound and took the loss after allowing five runs in four-plus innings. Jean Zambrano, Andris Barroso and Michael Benedict pitched in relief.

The result came one afternoon after Bethune-Cookman routed Grambling 23-1. The teams conclude the series Saturday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Grambling 7, Bethune-Cookman 9, and its ELO system had given Bethune-Cookman a 71.60 percent probability to win.