HOUSTON, Texas – The Alabama State University baseball team started strong against Houston on Friday night as the Hornets took a 1-0 lead into the fourth, but couldn't overcome timely hits in falling to the Cougars, 10-2, in a non-conference game at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.
"When you are facing a guy that is as good as (Seth) Romero and you have a chance at a big inning against him, you've got to take advantage of it," Alabama State head coach Jose` Vazquez said. "Once he settled down we saw how good he is and why he is going to pitch in the big leagues some day. We've got to make some adjustments and it's a good team that we are facing. We've got to be ready for tomorrow and I think the guys will be ready for the challenge."
Tyler Howe (2-2) took the loss on the hill as gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits, with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
Patrick Coffin and Carlos Gonzales pitched the final 4.1 innings in relief.
Alabama State (7-12) opened the scoring in the top half of the first inning as
Joseph Estrada drew a one-out walk and stole second. After a
Carlos Ocasio strikeout,
Gustavo Rios, who went 3-for-4, doubled to right center to plate Estrada and give the Hornets an early 1-0 lead.
ASU wasn't done in the inning as
Ray Hernandez reached on an infield hit and
Chris Biocic walked to load the bases. However,
Hunter Allen was able to work the count full and fouled off several pitches before being called out on strikes to end the Hornet threat.
The Cougars (11-5) answered in the bottom of the fourth as Jake Scheiner led off the frame with a triple to center and scored on a one-out base hit up the middle by Jared Triolo, tying the game at 1.
Houston wasn't done in the inning and scored four more runs on three hits and took advantage of two Hornet errors to take a 5-1 lead.
The Cougars extended the advantage to 8-1 with three runs on four hits in the sixth and put the game with a two-run eighth to take a 10-1 lead into the top half of the ninth.
The Hornets added a run in the ninth as Rios singled to right and advanced to second on a Hernandez ground out.
John Benevolent moved Rios to third with a base hit up the middle. After a strikeout,
Cage Cox, who went 3-for-4, reached on an infield hit to plate Rios from third.
Seth Romero (3-2) earned the win as he gave up one run on four hits with 12 strikeouts and two walks in 6.0 innings pitched. Fred Villarreal pitched the final three innings in relief.
Alabama State and Houston continue its three-game series on Saturday at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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