FINAL BOX
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --The Alabama State University baseball team rallied from a three-run deficit in the final innings to secure a 4-3 victory over Miles College in its season opener..
The Hornets (1-0) were led by freshmen Anthony Ricciardi and Kejuan Riley and sophomore Jordan Mims.
Ricciardi earned the victory on the mound after working five innings of strong relief. He struck out five and gave up just two hits and no earned runs. Riley registered a pair of hits and a game-winning RBI off the bench, while Mims' clutch night ended with two timely hits and a game-tying run scored.
For a large amount of the game, Miles starting pitcher, Chad Miller, held the Hornets off balance keeping them scoreless through 7 innings.
But with some savvy coaching moves in the eighth inning the Hornets prevailed in the end. ASU head coach Larry Watkins, in his 30th season at the helm, turned to his bench it at the right time.
With back-to-back pinch hits by Riley and Therrell Tyus in the top of the eighth inning it was time for the running Hornets to get in motion. With second baseman Jorrell Fredericks at the plate, Tyus stole second base putting a pair of Hornets in scoring position. Fredericks then executed a bunt that scored not only Riley from third base but also Tyus drew an erratic throw to third base by Miles' first baseman Sergio Galloway that allowed him to scamper home as well. Mims then singled and scored on a double by third baseman Ron James Jr. to tie the score at 3-3.
In the top of the ninth inning, Drew Quinney reached base on an error up the middle. Designated hitter Jourdan Mott then drew a walk putting runners on first and second with no outs. After two failed sacrifice bunt attempts by Riley, the freshman smoked the next pitch through the third baseman's legs sending Quinney home for the eventual game-winning score.
Watkins turned to ASU's closer Devin Dominguez in the bottom of the frame to close out the game. Dominguez shut the door on Miles and earned his first save of the season after recording a strike out and inducing a game-ending double play.
Corey Washington got the start for the Hornets giving up two hits and four walks while striking out three in three innings of work.
The Hornets return to action again Wednesday against Tuskegee at 1 pm at Paterson Field.
