HOOVER, Ala. – The Alabama State University baseball team dropped a pair of games on Friday as the Hornets lost to Iowa, 9-2, and Morehead State, 8-1, in the Hoover Classic and the Hoover Met.
"We faced two very good teams today," Alabama State head coach Jose` Vazquez said. "In the first game we had a change to keep pressing on Iowa and did not capitalize on the opportunity. Against Morehead State we fell behind early. Their starter did a great job and made it tough for us to put something together. Tomorrow it will not get any easier so we have to come out swinging and bounce back."
Against Iowa, the Hornets, who recorded eight hits, struck for two runs on four hits to grab a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
Hunter Allen, who went 1-for-3, began the frame with a base hit to right and advanced to second on
Joseph Estrada's single to right.
Eriq White moved the runners up a base with a sacrifice bunt.
Diandre Amion followed with a single to right center to plate Allen and Estrada. Still with one out in the inning,
Carlos Ocasio, who singled up the middle and after a
Ray Hernandez fly out, and
Cage Cox walked to load the bases. However, a fielder's choice by
Gustavo Rios (Cox out at second) ended the inning.
The Hawkeyes (3-2) responded in the bottom of the frame with three runs on two hits and took a 6-2 advantage after scoring three times in the fifth.
The Hawkeyes also picked up runs in the seventh and eighth to cruise to the win.
Tyler Howe (0-2) took the loss on the mound for Alabama State. He pitched 4.1 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, with five walks and four strikeouts.
Carlos Gonzalez,
Chase Laney and
Ricky Perez worked in relief.
Amion, Ocasio, Hernandez, Cox, Rios, Rivera and Estrada each had a hit
Nick Gallagher (1-0) picked up the win in seven innings of work. He surrendered two runs on seven hits, with seven strikeouts and two walks. Ryan Erickson pitched 2.0 innings in relief.
Iowa finished with 15 hits, led by Mason McCoy, Robert Neustrom, Jake Adams and Matt Hoeg with two each.
In the second game of the day against Morehead State, the Hornets fell behind early as the Eagles plated three runs on four hits in the second inning to grab a 3-0 lead.
The Eagles (4-2) added to the lead with a run in the fourth and one in the seventh for a 5-0 advantage.
Alabama State (1-5) picked up a run in the eighth as
Nate Gerard doubled to center and advanced to third on a
John Benevolent ground out.
Oscar Prioleau brought Gerard in when he reached on an error.
Morehead State put the game away with a three-run eighth to capture an 8-1 victory.
The Hornets finished with two hits, led by Ocasio and Gerard with two each.
Jon Roblez (0-1) took the loss as he surrendered four runs on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
Ivanniel Vazquez, White and Perez pitched in relief.
Aaron Leasher (2-0) earned the victory with a five-hit, one-run performance in eight innings. Also, he fanned 10 in the win. Jake Ziegelmeyer worked one inning in relief.
Hunter Fain, Will Schneider and Chase Teter combined for six out of the 10 Eagle hits on the afternoon.
Alabama State wraps up play at the Hoover Classic on Saturday with a Noon start against Morehead State and a 4 p.m. first pitch against Iowa at the Hoover Met.
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