The Alabama State baseball team started fast in taking a 9-4 win over Alcorn State Friday afternoon in game one of the three-game weekend series.
 
Cesar Rivera and P.J. Biocic each went 3-for-4 with two RBI as the Hornets (25-11 overall, 13-3 SWAC) won their 10^th straight game in a contest that was delayed in the fourth inning for more than 90 minutes.
 
Rivera led off the Hornet first inning with a walk, and Biocic singled. After the players advanced on a passed ball, an RBI groundout scored Rivera. With two outs, Yamil Pagan's single scored Biocic for a 2-0 Alabama State lead.
 
The Hornets broke the game open with a six-run second. Gustavo Rios and Joseph Estrada each were hit by pitch to lead off the inning. Ray Hernandez reached base on a bunt single to load the bases. Rivera then doubled down the right field line, scoring Rios and Estrada. Biocic then singled up the middle, scoring Hernandez and Rivera for a 6-0 margin. After a fielder's choice and two outs, Hunter Allen's two-run single to right scored two for an 8-0 Alabama State lead.
 
"I thought we did a very good job at the start of the game," Alabama State head coach Mervyl Melendez said. "The rain delay slowed down the bats a little bit, but I was happy with the performance, especially the big early runs. Our pitchers didn't have to stress about each pitch, and glad we came out with a lot of intensity."
 
Joseph Camacho (9-0) remained undefeated, allowing seven hits, three runs, two walks and six strikeouts.
 
"Camacho was on today," Melendez said. "He was working down in the zone very effectively. Maybe we should have taken him out sooner because of the rain delay. He stayed with it and did a really good job, as did our relievers."
 
The teams will play a Saturday doubleheader starting at Noon at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex, with senior day activities beginning at 11:30 a.m.
                               

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