MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State University baseball team will look to get back into the win column this weekend with a key Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game against Jackson State at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
 
The Hornets (17-16 overall, 13-2 SWAC) are coming off their first loss since March 21 against South Alabama. Alabama State dropped a hard-fought game on Tuesday night in a mid-week non-conference tilt at home to Troy, 6-4. Despite the setback on Tuesday, the Hornets have won 10 out of their 11 games, including three straight SWAC series sweeps (Mississippi Valley State, Alcorn State and Alabama A&M).


Jackson State (26-11, 12-3) enter the series off a sweep of Mississippi Valley State last week. Since their last SWAC loss on March 17 against Alcorn State, the Tigers have gone 13-3, including winning eight straight.
 
In the latest RPI rankings, Alabama State sits at 185, while Jackson State is 247 and are 8-0 against non-Division I opponents.
 
Both teams had players recognized this week by the SWAC.
 
ASU's Gustavo Rios earned his second consecutive Hitter of the Week accolade after helping the Hornets to a sweep of Alabama A&M. He batted .444 (4-for-9), slugged 1.111 and a .667 on-base percentage during the weekend series. Also, he accounted for all five runs with a two-run homer and a bases clearing double in a 5-3 victory.
 
Jackson State's Jonathan Aponte was named the Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. He threw a complete-game victory over Mississippi Valley State last Friday and allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out six.
 
This will be the second time these teams have met this season, with Alabama State taking two of three from the Tigers in Jackson, Miss. (March 10-12). By winning the series, the Hornets are currently one game up in the SWAC East Division standings, with Jackson State closely behind.
 
This weekend's series at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex could determine the top seed from the East Division for next month's SWAC Baseball Tournament in New Orleans (La.).
 
The series opener will begin on Friday, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. Saturday's start time is scheduled for 2 p.m. On Sunday, the game will be featured on the SWAC Digital Network and will begin at 1 p.m.
 
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