BIRMINGHAM –
Cesar Rivera had a career high four hits, scored a career-high five runs, and had a career-high seven RBI as Alabama State powered past Samford 23-7 Tuesday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
Alabama State (18-6) trailed 2-1 heading into the third when it broke the game open over the next three innings against Samford (11-9) with a five-run third, four-run fourth, and five-run fifth inning.
Einar Muniz and
Richard Amion led off with back-to-back walks, and Rivera was hit by pitch to load the bases.
Waldyvan Estrada then doubled to right center field, scoring Muniz and Amion. Marrero then followed with a three-run homer to right field to give Alabama State a 6-2 lead.
In the fourth,
Raul Perez was hit by pitch and Muniz singled to left to begin the inning. Amion then laid down a sacrifice bunt, and was safe on a throwing error, allowing Perez to score and advancing Muniz to third and Amion to second. Rivera then doubled down the right field line, scoring Muniz and Amion. Following a walk to Estrada and an out, Rivera scored on a fielder's choice to give Alabama State a 10-2 lead.
In the fifth, Amion's single with the bases loaded scored
Dillon Cooper, who walked to begin the inning. Rivera's double down the right field line scored
Raul Perez, Muniz and Amion. After Rivera advanced to third on a wild pitch and a walk to Estrada, Marrero's sacrifice fly scored Rivera to give the Hornets a 15-2 lead.
Amion scored a career-high five runs, Estrada hit a two-run homer, went 3-for-4, and drove in four runs, Marrero went 2-for-5 and drove in five runs, and
Dexter Price hit a solo homer, went 3-for-6 and drove in two runs.
Alabama State will resume last Tuesday's halted game against Troy on the road Wednesday at 6 p.m. before playing the regularly scheduled games 30 minutes after the completion of game one.
