After spending the opening week of the season on the road, the Alabama State baseball team will open a five-game homestand with a three-game weekend series against Florida A&M.
 
Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's single game will begin at 1 p.m. each day at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. Live stats will be available at bamastatesports.com.
 
The Hornets (1-3) are coming off a 7-5 loss Wednesday at Auburn. Alabama State jumped out to a 3-0 first-inning lead before the Tigers rallied back in the middle innings. ASU's late game rally came up short, leaving the bases loaded to end the game.
 
"I was proud of our team for not giving up," Alabama State head coach Mervyl Melendez said. "It's easy to say when you are down 'this game is over.' We didn't do that. We were three runs down at 7-4, and P.J. Harris hit a home run in the eighth. Then, with two outs in the ninth, we get three consecutive hits. We came up a little short, but we battled back."
 
Einar Muniz is setting a torrid pace at the plate, batting .600 (9-for-15) with a pair of doubles and two RBI. He has a hit in every game this season, including three multi-hit games. The 5-5 dynamo went 3-for-4 with a run scored at Auburn, with two big-time defensive plays at third base.
 
"He's off to a hot start, but what's been most impressive has been his at-bats," Melendez said. "He's been very calm at the plate. He's been very disciplined and not swinging at pitches he doesn't think he can hit. Then when he gets a count or pitch that is favorable to him, he's able to do damage. On top of that, he's playing great defense. Two of the plays he made at third, I don't know anyone else who could have made them, including one play that saved two runs."
 
Florida A&M (1-2) lost two of three games last weekend at home to Marshall. The Rattlers shared the 2014 MEAC Southern Division title, and posted two one-run wins over the Hornets in Tallahassee against the Hornets last season.
 
"Florida A&M is a well-coached team," Melendez said. "Jamey Shouppe has done a good job with his players. They are very fundamentally sound, and pitch well. We know what we have ahead of us. We have to concentrate on what we do and play our type of baseball."
 
The Hornets open their fourth full season at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex Saturday, where they have won 50 of 80 games (.625) and have posted a 47-25 record under Melendez, who looks forward to the comforts of home over the next few days.
 
"It has been bittersweet, in that we have played some really good teams on the road," Melendez said. "While I'm happy we have played good teams during the first week of the season, there's nothing like playing at home.  We get to sleep in our own bed, we'll have our home crowd and great fan support, and we get to wear white uniforms! I love wearing white uniforms at home. We're excited to be home. I know our players are excited to be home as well."

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