CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Alabama State baseball team lost game one of the three-game weekend series at The Citadel 9-8 Friday at Riley Field.
The Hornets (3-5) got off to a fast start with three runs in the first, two in the second and three more in the fourth. However, the Bulldogs (5-4) matched the scoring with two in the first, three in the second and three in the fourth. The Citadel scored the game-winning run on an infleid single with two outs in the ninth.
"We're not going to win many ballgames when we walk nine batters, hit one, and allow 11 hits," Alabama State head coach
Mervyl Melendez said. "We got off to a good start offensively, and the pitching was absolutely terrible."
For the second straight road game, Alabama State scored in the first inning.
Cesar Rivera led off with a single. With one out,
Einar Muniz singled to left field. After a double steal, and a fielder's choice forced an out at the plate, Muniz and
Waldyvan Estrada stole third and second, respectively.
Chris Biocic's two-run single to center field put the Hornets ahead.
After The Citadel went ahead in the bottom of the first, Alabama State quickly responded. P.J. Harris and
Yamil Pagan led off with singles. Following a sacrifice bunt by
Marcus Swint, which moved the runners to second and third, Rivera tripled to right center field to score both runners for a 4-3 ASU lead. Rivera then scored on a sacrifice fly by P.J. Biocic for a two-run lead.
With the score tied at 5-5, Alabama State regained the lead in the fourth. Rivera and P.J. Biocic walked to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice bunt by Muniz, which moved the runners to second and third, Estrada was hit by a pitch to lead the bases.
Chris Biocic singled through the right side to score Rivera to put the Hornets back in front. P.J. Biocic then scored on a fielder's choice, and Estrada on a throwing error to give the Hornets an 8-5 lead.
Muniz posted his fourth three-hit game of the season, and
Chris Biocic had a career-high three hits and three RBI for Alabama State.
Brandon Caples pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, walking one and striking out a career-high six.
Saturday's game is at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m. CT, with live radio and live stats on bamastatesports.com, which will also have the live video link for fans to watch Sunday's game free of charge via the Southern Conference Digital Network.
