MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State University baseball team tried to rally from two runs down in the ninth inning, but couldn't push across the runs as the Hornets' 10-game winning streak was snapped on Tuesday night in a 6-4 loss to Troy at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
The Hornets used five pitchers as
Terrell McCall (1-4) took the loss. He surrendered three runs on two hits, walked six and struck out one.
Darren Kelly,
Patrick Coffin,
Ivanniel Vazquez and
Austin Bizzle pitched in relief.
Troy (17-14) broke the 0-0 tie in the top of the fifth as the Trojans loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter. Brandon Lockridge delivered a two-out bloop single to center to score two runs and after a pitching change, another run came across on a wild pitch to give the Troy a 3-0 lead.
Alabama State (17-16) trimmed the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of the frame as
Chris Biocic singled and advanced to second when
Diandre Amion drew a two-out walk.
Carlos Ocasio followed with a base hit to right center to score Biocic.
The Trojans got the run back in the sixth to take a 4-1 advantage.
But again Alabama State answered in the bottom of the frame as
Joseph Estrada reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a bunt single by Biocic.
Hunter Phillips followed with a single to right center as Estrada came in to score to trim the margin to 4-2.
Troy added to the lead in the seventh with one run on two hits to grab a 5-2 lead.
The Hornets cut the deficit to 5-4 with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning.
With one down in the inning,
Cage Cox singled up the middle and
Gustavo Rios, who was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hitter of the Week on Tuesday, doubled off the wall in left.
Ray Hernandez followed and flied out to right for the sacrifice fly as Cox scored and Rios advanced to third. Biocic brought in Rios with a base hit through the left side.
The Trojans picked up an insurance run on a sacrifice fly in the ninth as Alabama State couldn't rally in the 6-4 loss.
Houston Mabray (2-1) earned the victory in 4.0 innings of work. He gave up just one hit, walked two and fanned two. Cory Gill, Lance Johnson, Evan Hebert and Jimmy Robbins pitched in relief. Marc Skinner worked the ninth to pick up his eighth save.
Alabama State returns to action with a key three-game SWAC series against Jackson State starting on Friday at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. First pitch against the Tigers is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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