EMERSON, Ga. – Ray Hernandez hit the game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extra innings, but the Alabama State University baseball team couldn't plate the winning run as Army completed the two-game sweep with a 5-4 victory in 14 innings on Wednesday afternoon at the Lakepoint Sports Complex.
 
Ivanniel Vazquez started on the mound for Alabama State as he went 5.0 innings. He gave up two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Jon Robles, Austin Bizzle, Chase Laney (0-1) and Patrick Coffin pitched in relief. Laney took the loss as he surrendered just one run in 2.1 innings of work.
 
Army (6-10) plated one run on two hits in the top of the first and got a solo home run in the third to grab a 2-0 advantage.
 
The Hornets (7-11) got a run back in the bottom of the frame.
 
Gustavo Rios, who went 3-for-5,brought the Hornets to within one with a towering home run to left center to cut the deficit in half at 2-1.
 
Alabama State scored two runs in the fourth to grab a 3-2 lead.
 
Carlos Ocasio led off the inning with a base hit through the left side and advanced to second on a Hernandez single up the middle. After a pitching change, Chris Biocic moved the runners over a base on a sacrifice bunt. Hunter Phillips followed with a sacrifice fly to right to score Ocasio and Hernandez came in to score on a wild pitch, giving the Hornets a 3-2 advantage.
 
The Black Knights took a 4-3 after scoring two runs on one hit in the top of the sixth.
 
Alabama State had a chance to tie the game in the eighth as Joseph Estrada doubled off the wall in left and Diandre Amion advanced the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt. However, the Hornets couldn't get the tying run across.
 
The Hornets tied the game in the bottom of the ninth as Hernandez, who hit a school-record 16 home runs last season, belted his first, a solo shot over the left field wall off Black Knights closer Sam Messina to tie game at 4.
 
Cam Opp pitched 3.0 innings and gave up three runs on three hits with three strikeouts. Ty Giovinco, Logan Smith, Sam Messina, Blake Walters and Drake Titus (1-1) worked in relief. Titus earned the win with 3.0 innings pitched and three strikeouts.
 
Alabama State continues its road swing as the Hornets open up a three-game series against the Houston Cougars in Houston, Texas on Friday. First pitch from Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park is set for 6:30 p.m.
 
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