Alcorn State, New Orleans post wins at Urban Invitational

Grambling State University vs. Alcorn State University -- Alcorn State 15, Grambling 10

Outfielder Earl Burl III had a stat-line for the ages for the home team by notching a cycle and a 5-for-5 performance in Alcorn State's victory in the Urban Invitational. Burl tripled in the first inning and homered in the fifth, and he later came back to double in the eighth. Burl scored four times, drove in five runs and stole a base.

The game was tied after six innings, but Alcorn State seized control with a seven-run seventh inning. Edwin Drexler drilled a three-run homer for Grambling State, and Diamyn Hall went 5-for-5 with three runs scored. Alcorn State starter Cedric Walker worked seven innings and allowed seven runs.

Southern University vs. University of New Orleans -- UNO 4, Southern 1

UNO is the only one of the four Urban Invitational teams to win each of its first two games. Alex Smith threw five innings and allowed just one run for the Privateers, and it's the only run UNO has allowed in the tourney. Catcher Jonathan Santana homered and had an RBI double in the victory.

Southern fell behind by three runs after four innings, and Lance Jones had two hits and scored the road team's only run. The Jaguars had their best chance to tie the game in the seventh, when they had runners at second-and-third with two outs, but Jose DeLa Torre lined out to third to end the threat.