JACKSON, Miss. – Cage Cox and
Eriq White combined to drive in nine runs as the Alabama State University baseball team rallied to defeat Jackson State, 15-7, in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Saturday afternoon at Bob Braddy Field.
"It was another great job by the team today," Alabama State head coach Jose` Vazquez said. We battled through some tough weather conditions and found a way to stay focused. Our pitching struggled early, but the bullpen did a fantastic job getting outs and getting us back in the dugout for our offense to get in a rhythm. The hitters also had a good day at the plate having some great at-bats and squaring the baseball al game. Now we have to roll it over into tomorrow and finish the series strong."
Brandon Caples started on the mound for the Hornets, but got a no decision. He gave up six runs on five hits and walked two in 1.2 innings.
Jon Roblez pitched 1.0 inning and relief and
Patrick Coffin (2-0) picked up the win. Coffin surrendered just one run on here hits with four strikeouts and three walks in 6.1 innings.
Alabama State (7-8 overall, 4-1 SWAC) opened the scoring in the top of the first win one run on two hits.
Cox, who went 3-for-5, led off the game with a double to right and came in to score on a
Ray Hernandez infield hit.
The Hornets added to the lead in the second inning with four runs on three hits.
With one down,
Hunter Allen, who went 2-for-4, reached on an infield hit and advanced to second when White, who went 1-for-3, was hit by a pitch.
Oscar Prioleau walked to load the bases and all three runners on bases came into score on Cox's grand slam homer.
Jackson State (9-6, 3-2) used a six-run second to grab a 6-5 lead through two innings.
Alabama State tied the game in the third as
Chris Biocic walked to begin the frame and came in to score on White's fielder's choice.
After a scoreless fourth inning, the Hornets plated two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to take 9-6 lead into the seventh. Alabama State put the game away with six runs on just two hits in the frame to extend the advantage to 15-6.
In the seventh, Allen, White and Proleau walked to load the bases. Cox singled to left to plate Allen. With one down in the inning, White scored on a balk and
Carlos Ocasio, who went 3-for-5, singled up the middle to score Prioleau and Cox. Hernandez, who went 2-for-4, and Biocic, who was 1-for-4, both were hit by a pitches to load the bases. After a pitching change,
Hunter Phillips drew a base on balls to score Ocasio and White walked to score Hernandez.
The Tigers plated one run in the eighth, but that was as close as they could get.
Jordan Bolden (2-2) took the loss as he was tagged for eight runs on seven hits. Francisco Cervantes and Joshua Santiago pitched in relief.
Alabama State will seek its first conference sweep of the season on Sunday against Jackson. First pitch at Bob Braddy Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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