Grambling State University - Tiger Yearbook (Grambling, LA)

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OUTFIELDERS (L-R)—Juan Watkins, Gerald Williams, Cornelius Jeter, Ricky Coleman, Dan- ny Jackson. SEAN A Tiger winds up. ‘Coach Ellis Day’ Proclaimed February 13, 1986, was very special to The event saluted the contributions Ellis has head baseball coach Wilbert Ellis. made as baseball coach at Grambling. His That particular day was declared by the 1983, 1984 and 1985 units were SWAC Student Government Association and KGRM champions and also contestants in the NCAA radio as ‘‘Wilbert Ellis Day.” regional playoffs. There it goes. Fa $ ian Cece NIT, Nn, eed nee Baseball 175

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Young Team Posts 24-20 Mark Tigers Take Third In SWAC West Sooner or later it had to end and 1986 was the year it did. For three straight years coach Wilbert Ellis’ baseball squads captured the conference championship and advanced to the NCAA regionals. This year, however, Ellis had to manage an extremely young and inexperienced unit, which finished third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division. Actually, the playoff picture went down to the last game. Grambling had to beat Prairie View while Southern had to whip Texas Southern. Unfortunately, TSU slaugh- tered the Jags and GSU dropped its final battle with Prairie View, 2-1. One of the year’s highlights was when the Tigers surprised powerhouse Florida State 3-1 in Tallahassee. After going 4-6 in early March, Grambling got it together and reeled off six straight victories and won nine out of 11 encounters. 4) For the year, GSU won 24 games and lost 20. In the SWAC Ellis’ crew posted an 8- @ 9 mark. Six Tigers had batting averages of .300 or better. They included first baseman 4 Patrick Vital, .391; second baseman Antonio Williams, .371; out fielder-pitcher Juan Fi Watkins, .341; first baseman Palfrey Polk, .336; shortshop Landon Williams, .320; y third baseman Timothy Hookfin, .311. Home run king was outfielder-pitcher Gerald Williams who belted nine in addition to acquiring 10 doubles and two triples. Polk blasted four homers, 10 doubles and led in triples with five. Catcher Jimmy Floyd belted five home runs, five doubles and one triple. GSU sluggers posted a team batting average of .297 as compoared to their oppo- nents’ .245. tinued 176 pron tnwed Oc. Baga ) Coach Wilbert Ellis « iS (Front Row L-R)—Rico Coleman, Rodney Lofton, Lamont Jones, Juan Gerald Williams, Darren Martin, Tony Bailey, James Mattox, Palfrey Watkins, Olen Parker, Glenn Stevenson, Antonio Williams, Brian Polk, Cornelius Jeter, John Samples, Dennis Walker, Jimmy Floyd, Hurks, Roger Washington, Cedric Shaw. (Back) Patrick Vital, Timothy Sherman Catalon. Hookfin, Landon Williams, Danny Jackson, Enus Ellison, Martin Foley, 174 Baseball

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Florida State Defeated By Grambling The Tigers drew national attention in mid-February when they whipped No. 2 ranked Florida State 3-1 in Tallahassee. Palfrey Polk belted a two-run double and Gerald Williams and Juan Watkins combined on a four-hitter to lead Grambling’s attack. GSU had lost twice earlier against Oe FSU, causing head coach Wilbert Ellis to Members of team await their turns at bat. note that “we didn’t play well in the first two games, but looked like a super team on Friday.” ‘ Polk broke open a scoreless tie with a Th | rd ad { a ce two-out double in the sixth inning and Grambling made it 3-0 on a two base er- ror and an RBI infield single by Tim (continued from page 174) Hookfin. The Seminoles’ Bien Figueroa drew a In the fielding department, Polk led in put outs with 282 while Lofton was the assist bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the king with 96. Grambling completed 25 double plays. eighth, but Watkins got Paul Sorrentino Once again pitcher Martin Foley led the way. The senior hurler ended his GSU on a popout to end the rally. career with a 6-2 record and .750 winning percentage. Foley hurled 65 innings and Polk had the team’s only base hit as was credited with a 4.57 earned-run average. His 46 strike outs were a team best. FSU’s Chris Pollack made his debut with Gerald Williams was another outstanding pitcher and he finished with a 5-2 record, a 10 strikeout performance in seven and .714 winning percentage and .429 earned-run average. He fanned 31 batters. two-thirds innings. Other notable pitching performances were turned in by Bryant Hurks, 3-1; Roger Williams won his first decision. FSU Washington, 3-3; Sherman Catalon, 3-3; John Samples, 1-0. Samples garnered the best fell to 2-1. earned-run average with his 2.22 mark for 24.1 innings. PITCHERS—(L-R) Roger Washington, Cedric Shaw, John Hurks, Sherman Catalon, Juan Watkins, Gerald Williams. Samples, Tony Bailey, Martin Foley, Glen Stevenson, Brian 176 Baseball