ITTA BENA, Miss. – Alabama State continued its Southwestern Athletic Conference dominance in taking game one of the its three-game series at Mississippi Valley State, winning 12-0 in seven innings.
Joseph Camacho (7-0) continued his unbeaten streak as the Hornets (24-14 overall, 16-0 SWAC) won for the 32nd time in Camacho's last 33 starts, throwing a complete game three-hitter, walking two and striking out six.
"Camacho threw a lot of first pitch strikes," Alabama State head baseball coach Mervyl Melendez said of Camacho, who is 28-0 over that time. "He was able to work ahead in the count to almost every hitter. He pitched well today."
In a truly balanced attack, eight different Hornets had at least one hit in the 13-hit attack, led by Chris Biocic's three hits and three RBI. Carlos Ocasio walked three times, as he and Dillon Cooper each scored three runs as eight different Hornets scored at least one run in clinching at least a share of their third straight SWAC Eastern Division title.
"We had a good approach at the plate," said Melendez, whose team tied a season single-game high with five doubles in scoring 10 or more runs for the 13th time this season. "Our hitters were patient and didn't try to do too much. It was very good offensive day for us."
Alabama State (24-14, 16-0) scored in five of the seven innings. In the second, Cooper singled to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a passed ball, and following a walk to Ray Hernandez, both runners advanced one base on groundout. Eric White's double to center score both runners for a 2-0 lead.
In the third with one out, Diandre Amion, doubled down the right field line, and Ocasio walked. Cooper then doubled to score both runners. Biocic then singled up the middle, scoring Cooper for a 5-0 lead.
Leading 7-0, the Hornets broke the game wide open with a five-run seventh. Ocasio and Cooper walked to lead off the inning. Biocic then reached on an infield single scoring Ocasio. Hernandez' RBI groundout scored Cooper for a 9-0 ASU lead. Hunter Phillips' double down the right field line scored Biocic. With two outs, Oscar Prioleau doubled down the right field line, scoring Phillips. Yamil Pagan then singled, scoring Prioleau.
Game two of the series is Saturday at 1 p.m.
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