AUBURN – The Alabama State baseball team lost a close 6-5 game at Auburn Wednesday night at Plainsman Park.

After a scoreless first three innings, Alabama State scored twice in the fourth. Cesar Rivera reached on an error to lead off the inning. Rivera stole second, and scored on double by Richard Gonzalez. With one out, Emmanuel Marrero singled to left to score Gonzalez to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead.

Auburn scored four in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead, before Alabama State scored three in the fifth to regain the lead. With one out, Richard Amion hit a solo home run to left. Rivera then walked and advanced to second on a throwing error. Gonzalez then singled to right, advancing Rivera to third, and later scored on an error. Branden Castro then placed a perfect bunt single past the pitcher's mound, scoring Gonzalez to give the Hornets a 5-4 lead.

The Tigers scored two in the seventh to regain the lead. Alabama State put the tying run on second base on a two-out double by Rivera in the ninth, but could get no closer.

Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with runs scored and an RBI, while Rivera scored twice for the Hornets.
Alabama State returns to action in a three-game weekend series at Alabama A&M.

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