CLEARWATER, Fla. – Carlos Ocasio, Ray Hernandez and Eriq White each had two hits, but it wasn't enough as the Alabama State University baseball team fell, 3-2, to Ball State on Saturday afternoon at Spectrum Field.
 
"Brandon Caples gave us the chance we needed to come away with this game," Alabama State head coach Jose' Vazquez said. "He battled out of some tough situations and competed really well. On the opposite side of that, it was a rough day again for our offense, which put us in a tough situation, but looking to bounce back. Now it's about preparing our guys to take on Maryland tomorrow."
 
Ocasio and Hernandez went 2-for-5 at the plate, while White was 2-for-4. Also picking up hits was Diandre Amion, Hunter Phillips and Cage Cox.
 
Caples (0-1) took the loss on the mound as he surrendered three runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work. Austin Bizzle pitched the final two innings in relief with four strikeouts.
 
Alabama State (0-2) struck first in the bottom of the opening inning as Cox drew a walk and moved up to second on an Ocasio base hit to center. Hernandez followed with a single through the left side to plate Cox and give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.
 
Ball State (2-0) tied the game at 1 in the third as Trent Theisen singled to begin the frame and came in to score on a triple by Matt Eppers. Roman Baisa brought up Eppers with a sacrifice bunt.
 
The Cardinals added to the lead in the fourth as Alex Maloney singled up the middle and advanced to third on a single through the right side by Caleb Stayton. Seth Freed reached on an error, allowing Maloney to score, giving Ball State a 3-1 advantage.
 
The Hornets tried to rally in the ninth as Cox doubled to right center to start the inning. With two down, Amion singled to center to plate Cox. However, Gustavo Rios flied out to right to end the game.
 
Maloney and Theisen went 2-for-4 with an RBI each to pace Ball State.
 
Kevin Marnon (1-0) picked up the win as he worked 5.0 innings and gave up one run on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks. T.J. Baker and Trevor Simon pitched middle relief, while David Current earned his first save.
 
Alabama State concludes its season opening three-game weekend road trip in Clearwater, Fla., at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19 against No. 22 Maryland at Spectrum Field.
 
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