March 11, 2006

Final Stats

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Jackson State swept a doubleheader from Alabama State, winning the first game 8-1, then outlasting the Hornets 5-3 in the nightcap.

In game one, Jackson State got their offense going early, parlaying a leadoff walk into a go-ahead run courtesy of Joaquin Rodriguez's double off the centerfield wall. The Tigers picked up three more runs in the second, aided by a couple of walks and an ASU error. That would be more than enough for JSU starter Chris Stapleton who scattered five Hornets hits and only allowed one run in 5 plus innings of work.

Despite the final score, the Tigers didn't hit the ball hard off ASU starter Cecil West, who only gave up five hits in 5 2/3 innings. However, when those five hits were combined with six walks and a couple of wild pitches, it spelled doom for the Hornets, who continued to struggle scoring in conference play.

Hornet pitcher Josh Froneberger put on one of his best performances of the year in an effort to salvage the second game of the day for ASU. After giving up three runs in the first two innings, Froneberger was dominant, shutting out JSU for the next five innings.

ASU jumped out to the quick lead in the first inning, powered by Josh Clemons' two-out, bases-loaded single giving the Hornets a 2-1 advantage. Salter quickly replaced his starter, Donte Hill, with Chris Smith, who hung with Froneberger pitch-for-pitch.

Jackson State reclaimed the lead in the second behind Chris Stamps' home run off the scoreboard in left field, and Maquez Tadeo's good baserunning, scoring from second off an infield hit.

Neither team would be able to muster much more offense, although ASU did manage to tie the game at 3-3 in the fifth. That score held until the eight, when JSU's Cedric James got a pinch-hit single, was bunted over to second, stole third and was brought home on a slow-rolling fielder's choice to shortstop. Jackson State got their final run when Derrick Johnson scored from third as Rodriguez occupied the ASU infield in a run down.

Despite his strong outing, Froneberger (2-3) took the loss. Chris Smith picked up the win for Jackson State.

Alabama State and Jackson State play their series finale Sunday at Paterson Field.