HOUSTON, Texas – The Alabama State University baseball team gave up runs in the fourth and fifth innings as the Hornets could not recover in a 4-1 loss to Houston in a non-conference game at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.
 
The Hornets (7-13) nearly rallied in the eighth inning.
 
With one out in the frame, Joseph Estrada singled to center. After a strikeout, John Benevolent reached on a base hit to left center. However, Gustavo Rios flied out to deep right to end the rally attempt.

"We competed today," Alabama State head coach Jose` Vazquez said. "We competed from the first pitch. Burke (Echelmeier) was good and made just one mistake and took advantage of it. He competed for us on short rest and we found ourselves in a ballgame. That's all I ask of our guys and we are going to go out there tomorrow and compete."

Burke Echelmeier, who pitched on just three day's rest, took his third loss of the season. He gave up three runs on six hits with three walks and one strikeout in 5.0 innings. Brandon Caples and Austin Bizzle pitched in relief.
 
Houston (12-5) broke the 0-0 tie in the fourth inning as the Cougars plated two runs on two hits.
 
Lael Lockhart drew a walk to begin the frame and Jordan Monacy doubled down the line in right. Corey Julks followed with a base hit up the middle to score Lockhart and Monacy to give Houston a 2-0 lead.
 
The Cougars added to the lead in the fifth as Davis was hit by a pitch to begin the inning and came around to score on a base hit by Lockhart to extend the advantage to 3-0.
 
Alabama State got a run back in the top of the sixth as Edgardo Rivera, who went 2-for-3, singled through the right side and Diandre Amion followed with a double to right. Cage Cox reached on an infield hit as Rivera came in to score. However, a double play and a fly out ended the Hornet rally.
 
Houston pushed the advantage to 4-1 in the seventh inning after a Jake Scheiner solo homer to left.
 
Alabama State had a chance in the eighth inning but couldn't plate across any runners as the Cougars picked up their 12^th win of the season.
 
Mitch Ullom (2-2) picked up the victory of the Cougars. He gave up one run on five hits, with four strikeouts in 7.1 innings pitched. Aaron Fletcher worked the final 1.2 innings in relief.
 
Alabama State concludes its three-game series against the Cougars on Sunday at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
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