JACKSONVILLE  - A pair of big innings powered the Alabama State baseball team to an 8-5 win at Jacksonville State Wednesday at Rudy Abbott Field.
 
A three-run fourth and a four-run seventh proved to be the difference as the Hornets (3-5) won their second straight game and third in the last four contests heading into this weekend's SWAC opener against Jackson State.
 
Ray Hernandez had three hits, including his second home run of the season, and Oscar Prioleau added two hits in the 11-hit attack as the Hornets defeated Jacksonville State for the fourth straight time.
 
"I think he loves this field," head coach Mervyl Melendez said of Hernandez, who hit his first career home run at Ruby Abbott Field last April in an 8-7 win. "He did a very good job, and defensively he made every play."
 
Trailing 1-0 after one, Dillon Cooper led off the second with a double down the left field line, and scored on Hernandez' double to nearly the same spot down the line, scoring Cooper to tie the game at 1-1. With two outs, Eriq White singled up the middle, scoring Hernandez. Prioleau then singled to right, advancing White to second. Yamil Pagan then singled to left, scoring White for a 3-1 lead.
 
After Jacksonville State (3-4) tied the game at 3-3 in the fourth, the Hornets regained the lead for good. Prioleau doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on a strikeout. Diandre Amion then singled up the middle, scoring Prioleau for a 4-3 lead. After Ocasio was hit by a pitch, Amion advanced to second, and later stole third base, scoring on Cooper's sacrifice fly for a 5-3 lead. Hernandez then homered to left field on a 1-0 pitch to give the Hornets a 7-3 lead.
 
"I thought our intensity at the plate was key," Melendez said. "A lot of credit goes to the hitters who helped us regain the lead right after Jacksonville State tied the game. I was happy with the hitting, as well as the relievers who did a good job for the most part."
 
After the Gamecocks added single runs in the sixth and seventh, Alabama State added an insurance run on a one-out RBI double by Hunter Allen, scoring Gustavo Rios who doubled.
 
Jon Roblez (1-1) got the win in relief, with Angel Alicea earning the save.
 
The Hornets and Jackson State will play Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.