NORMAL, Ala. – The Alabama State baseball team completed a three-game sweep of archrival Alabama A&M with an 18-8 victory Sunday at Bulldog Field.
Alabama State (22-17 overall, 13-5 SWAC) scored in seven of nine innings, as the Hornets set a season-high in runs for the second straight game, highlighted by a five-run first, five-run sixth, and four-run ninth.
Every Alabama State starter had at least one hit, including six players with at least two hits.
Dillon Cooper and
Dexter Price each had three hits, and
Leo Rojas drove in three runs as the Hornets completed the six-game season sweep of Alabama A&M (3-30, 1-13) for the second straight season.
The Hornets scored in the first inning for the fourth straight game.
Richard Amion and Rojas were each hit by pitch to open the game.
Richard Gonzalez reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error as Amion scored.
Waldyvan Estrada singled to score Rojas for a 2-0 lead. Following a groundout, Price singled to score Gonzalez. Alabama State then executed a double steal, as Price stole second and Estrada stole home to extend to a 4-0 lead. Price later advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch to put the Hornets in control at 5-0.
Alabama State added single runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings, before the five-run sixth.
Marcus Swint and Amion each had two-run doubles in the inning, part of a 17-hit outburst by the Hornets.
ASU scored one in the seventh before four runs in the ninth, the big blow being a bases-loaded triple by Rojas to right-center field.
Hunter McIntosh (3-0) went six solid innings, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned), with three walks and a career-high seven strikeouts. He pitched out of two-on, none-out jam in the fourth, and was aided in the sixth by Estrada's throw out of a would be run at home plate in the sixth inning.
The Hornets open a two-game home stand Tuesday and Wednesday at home against Florida A&M. Game time both days is 6 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
