NEW ORLEANS, La. – Less than 12 hours after a barnburner ended with a combined 25 runs scored on 30 hits in a nearly five and a half hour marathon against Southern, Alabama State engaged in a pitcher's duel with Jackson State in a SWAC Tournament Quarterfinal on Friday at Wesley Barrow Stadium. 
 
Sophomore pitchers Tyler Howe of the Hornets and Vincent Anthonia of the Tigers matched scoreless innings through the opening six frames.
 
The Hornets held a 1-0 lead when lightning and rain interrupted play in the middle of the seventh for a one hour and 47 minute delay. 
 
When the teams came back on the field, Howe departed and Jackson State (32-24) put together a four-run eighth inning to win 4-1 and advance to the SWAC Semifinals against Southern for the third game of the day on Friday. 
 
"You guys are all champions in my book," said ASU coach Mervyl Melendez, who guided the Hornets to a league-best 18-6 record inside the conference this year.
 
You guys did all the right things.  You did all the work.  You worked hard all year. You played a real Division I schedule. I'm proud of all of you.  This has been a great journey.  And, for all you seniors, this isn't the complete end.  It is only the end as far as a player-coach relationship.  You wouldn't believe all the former players of mine who called or texted me this week to give their well wishes to us.  This is more than just a team."
 
Seniors on the Hornets included pitchers Michael Estevez, Mike Montgomery, T.J. Renda and Armando Ruiz, infielders PJ Biocic and Einar Muniz and outfielders Waldyvan Estrada, Cesar Rivera and Marcus Swint.    
 
The Hornets (31-19) struck first in the top of the seventh when Ray Hernandez and Joseph Estrada each reached base on throwing errors and Swint loaded the bases on a bunt single up the first base line.
 
After Rivera flew out to shallow left center, Hernandez left third base early when he attempted to tag and score. 
 
Hernandez slide around the tag, however, upon the appeal at third base was called out.
 
It set the stage for W. Estrada, who drew a walk on four consecutive balls, to score J. Estrada.  

It gave the Hornets a 1-0 advantage. 
 
Swint batted 1-for-2 and drew two walks.
 
Howe stayed in command, working six innings and allowed no runs on four hits. 
 
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound right hander set the Tigers down in order in the first, third, and fourth innings. 
 
He struck out four and walked just one before the lightning and rain came for the delay. 
 
He faced the minimum amount of batters in the sixth inning on a well-executed strike them out, throw them out double play to end the threat on a sound throw from catcher Chris Biocic. 
 
In the seventh, Brandon Caples came on in relief and induced a popup and a strikeout to leave three Tigers on base. 
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Jovan Felipe gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead on a two-run double into the left center field gap. 
 
Jesus Santana hit a two-run home run to increase the lead to 4-1.
 
Melendez questioned the integrity of the bat prompting a conference from the umpire crew. 
 
However, the umpires upheld the home run call. 
 
#GOHORNETS#