The top two baseball teams in the SWAC's Eastern Division will meet this weekend as Alabama State hosts Alabama A&M on baseball alumni weekend.
 
Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's single game begin at 1 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. Saturday's games will be video streamed live at bamastatesports.com/showcase.
 
The Hornets (28-15 overall, 16-2 SWAC) are coming off a pair of mid-week losses at Florida A&M, both by one run. Alabama State lost 4-3 Wednesday night and 2-1 on Thursday. Hornet pitching allowed just six runs and 14 hits during the two-game set. However, the offense had only a .212 batting average against the Rattlers, stranding 16 runners on base.
 
"I was very happy with our pitching during our midweek games," head coach Mervyl Melendez said. "We were able to throw strikes and keep the ball down in the zone. We had opportunities on the offensive side, but were unable to drive the runners in, and sometimes that will happen. We worked extremely hard today to get back on track."
 
It's the second series meeting of the season between the Hornets and Alabama A&M (17-21, 9-5). After dropping game one 5-4, Alabama State came back to win games two and three in Huntsville by scores of 11-1 and 15-5, both via the 10-run rule. The longtime rivals rank in the top three in seven key offensive categories, including batting average, runs scored, and home runs.
 
"As I've said many times, and it remains true, we need to concentrate on the things we do well and execute our game plan," Melendez said. "Our players are prepared for an exciting weekend of baseball."
 
It's alumni weekend for Alabama State baseball, as more than 50 former players are expected to be in attendance Saturday.
 
"Playing in front of former players will be in a treat for our players," Melendez said. "We get to perform in front of many ex-players that have represented our program in the past with a great sense of pride."
 

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