KENNESAW, Ga. – The Alabama State baseball team dropped a 9-4 decision at Kennesaw State in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon.
Poor pitching hurt the Hornets (16-20) in the contest, as Alabama State walked nine batters in the first 5 1/3 innings. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the third, ASU hurlers walked three consecutive Kennesaw State (20-15) hitters to load the bases. Following a sacrifice fly, another walk reloaded the bases before Chris McGowan's grand slam gave the Owls a 7-0 lead.
“Nine walks issued by us,” said a frustrated head coach
Mervyl Melendez. “They got one hit in the big inning – the grand slam. You can't give a good team extra opportunities. It's certainly frustrating. If we don't have that inning, it's a different ballgame. It's all about throwing strikes. We have to be ready to throw strikes, we have to be ready to compete and I don't think our pitchers competed today. They did not compete at all today.”
The Hornets scored three runs in the fifth.
Einar Muniz' sacrifice fly with the bases loaded scored
Emmanuel Marrero, who was hit by pitch to lead off the inning.
Richard Gonzalez then reached on an error to score
Ryan Epperson, who had walked, for ASU's second run.
Waldyvan Estrada' sacrifice fly scored
Richard Amion, who singled, to cut the Hornets' deficit to 7-3, but they would get no closer.
Marrero and Epperson each had two hits for Alabama State, with Marrero scoring twice and Epperson with a run scored and an RBI. The Hornets return to action this weekend hosting Jackson State in a SWAC Eastern Division showdown. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is 1 p.m. and Sunday's single game also starts at 1 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
