Currently in second place at the end of the first half of conference play, the Alabama State baseball team will open the second half of the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule at archrival Alabama A&M Friday and Saturday.

The teams will play a single game Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon at Bulldog Field. Weekend Gameday Central on Bamastatesports.com will have live stats.

Alabama State (13-19 overall, 7-5 SWAC) won three of four series against its SWAC Eastern Division foes in the first half of league play, including a three-game home sweep of the Bulldogs March 3-4 at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. The Hornets then lost a three-game series at Jackson State before rebounding to win two of three games each at Mississippi Valley State and at home this past weekend against defending champ Alcorn State.

“We have a better understanding what the conference is about,” first-year head coach Mervyl Melendez said of not only the players' knowledge but from a coaching perspective in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. “The execution of the game plan is what is comes down to. Also, it's about the will to win. We have to have the right mental approach every single game and if we do that, we will be in pretty good shape.”

The Bulldogs (6-24, 1-11) won their first conference game this past weekend, winning one of three games at home against current SWAC Eastern Division leader Jackson State. Melendez knows despite Alabama A&M's record, it's a rivalry renewed anytime the Hornets and Bulldogs get together.

“I've told the team we can't concentrate on their record,” Melendez said. “We know they are going to play hard at their field. We know the importance of the Alabama State – Alabama A&M rivalry and we have to come out and be ready to play. We have to execute our game plan a little bit better, we have to show intensity and show passion to play this weekend.”

#HORNETS#