The Alabama State baseball team lost at home to Samford 12-6 Tuesday at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
 
After Samford scored six runs in the third inning, Alabama State (13-9) scored two in the bottom of the inning. P.J. Biocic doubled down the right field line, and scored on an RBI triple to right center by Yamil Pagan. Waldyvan Estrada's RBI groundout scored Pagan to cut the Hornet deficit to 6-2.
 
The Bulldogs (10-12) scored two runs in the sixth to take an 8-2 lead before a four-run Alabama State rally. With two outs, Cesar Rivera reached on an infield single, and P.J. Biocic was hit by a pitch. Pagan then singled to right field, scoring Rivera before Estrada was hit by pitch to load the bases. Pinch hitter Manny Rodriguez doubled off the left center field wall, clearing the bases to cut the Hornet deficit to 8-6.
 
However, Samford scored two runs each in both the eighth and ninth innings for the final margin.
 
Pagan tied a career high with three hits and two RBI, and Rivera had two hits to lead the 11-hit attack for Alabama State.
 
"Making three errors and not pitching well is usually not a good recipe for victory," Alabama State head coach Mervyl Melendez said. "I was satisfied, however, with our players coming back and showing some grit and never giving up. I was happy with the offense, but not so much with the pitching and defense."
 
The Hornets return to action Wednesday at Florida State in a 5 p.m. central time start, with a live radio broadcast on bamastatesports.com.  
                               

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