PINE BLUFF, Ark. (Interstat) — Grambling erupted for 11 runs in the sixth inning and Trevor Esparza turned in a no-hit performance over 6 1/3 innings as the Tigers defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 15-3 in the first game of a Southwestern Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday at Torii Hunter Baseball/Softball Complex.

The Tigers improved to 21-26 overall. The Golden Lions fell to 21-30. The game was the opener of a twinbill after Arkansas-Pine Bluff routed Grambling 16-1 on Friday.

Grambling scored three times in the fourth inning to take a 3-0 lead. Charles Ashe III doubled to left field, driving in Cameron Hill, and James Woody followed with a single to right field, plating Ashe. Chris Marcellus later scored on a double play groundout.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Aaron Grant walked and stole second, then scored on a walk to Konner Giddley. Zyon Hamilton added an RBI when he was hit by a pitch, scoring Blake Coleman. The Golden Lions pulled within 3-2.

The game turned decisively in the sixth. Grambling sent 16 batters to the plate and scored 11 times, all with two outs after the first run. Shannon Martin walked and scored on a wild pitch. Martavius Thomas scored on an error by the pitcher, and Ryan Davis scored on an error by the second baseman. Trey Bridges scored on another wild pitch.

With two outs, Martin singled to right field, driving in Cameron Hill and Aidan Lopez. Thomas walked with the bases loaded, forcing in Ashe. Davis walked, bringing home Martin. Bridges singled through the left side, scoring Woody. Lopez bunted single, driving in Thomas. Hill capped the inning with a walk that forced in Davis.

Grambling finished with nine hits, including two each from Martin and Woody. Martin drove in two runs, while Ashe, Woody, Thomas, Bridges and Lopez each contributed an RBI.

Esparza struck out six and allowed three earned runs on no hits and five walks, plus three hit batters, in 6 1/3 innings to earn the win. Nick Robinson recorded the final two outs without allowing a run.

For Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grant went 2 for 2 and later moved to the mound, striking out one and allowing no hits in a scoreless inning of relief. Emerson Lott took the loss, giving up one earned run on one hit in 2 1/3 innings.

The Golden Lions managed seven hits, including a double by Grant and a single each from Konner Giddley, Vinny Saumell, Blake Coleman, Lazaro Alvarado and Augusto Schroeder. Schroeder’s seventh-inning single drove in Grant for the final run.

Grambling grounded into two double plays and Arkansas-Pine Bluff also grounded into two.

The sixth-inning outburst proved decisive, turning a one-run contest into a lopsided victory for the Tigers.

Interstat’s ELO system projected Grambling with a 59.70 percent probability to win the game.