NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Alabama State University baseball team exploded for nine runs during the eighth and ninth inning as the Hornets got back into the win column with a 12-4 come-from-behind victory over Grambling State in a non-conference game on Friday night at the Wesley Barrow Stadium.
 
Alabama State (19-20) entered the series 0-20 when trailing after seven innings, but that streak ended on Friday night as the Hornets plated nine runs on seven hits and took advantage of one error during the final two innings to pick up the win.
 
"This was an outstanding team effort tonight by our guys," Alabama State head coach Jose Vazquez said.
 
The Hornets opened the scoring with one run on two hits in the third as Cage Cox, who went 3-for-5, singled through the right side with one out and advanced to second when Carlos Ocasio was hit by a pitch. Gustavo Rios, who went 1-for-4, reached on a base hit through the left side as the runners moved up 90 feet. With the bases loaded and two outs, Cox scored on a wild pitch to give Alabama State a 1-0 lead.
 
ASU picked up another run in the top of the fourth as Edgardo Rivera walked and advanced to third on a Hunter Allen double. Rivera scored on a sacrifice fly to left to extend the advantage to 2-0.
 
Grambling State (15-23) plated one run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 2-1 and tied the game at 2 with a run in the sixth.
 
After Alabama State grabbed a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh, Grambling State plated two runs to take a 4-3 advantage into the eighth.
 
That set the stage for the nine-run comeback.
 
Ray Hernandez walked to begin the top of the eighth and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Diandre Amion. Rivera drew a walk and Hunter Allen, who went 3-for-4, singled through the left side as Hernandez and Rivera advanced a base. With the bases loaded and two outs, Joseph Estrada, who went 3-for-5, doubled to right to clear the bases as Hernandez, Rivera and Allen scored. Cox followed and reached on an error as Estrada scored as the Hornets grabbed a 7-4 lead.
 
Alabama State put the game away in the top of the ninth with five runs on five hits.
 
With one out in the frame, Hernandez was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on Amion's single to right. Rivera, who went 1-for-1, tripled to left to plate Hernandez and Amion. Allen followed with a double down the left field line as Rivera scored. Estrada reached on a two-out single to center to plate Allen and Cox doubled to right center as Estrada came in to score to give the Hornets a commanding 12-4 lead.
 
Tyler Howe started on the mound for the Hornets and pitched 6.1 innings. He gave up four runs on 11 hits and fanned nine in the no decision. Austin Bizzle (3-0) picked up his second win in as many outings. He gave up just one hit and struck out one in 2.2 innings of relief.
 
Tanner Raiburn pitched 6.0 innings for the Tigers and gave up two runs on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts. Daniel Beizer (4-5) and Raul Baduel pitched in relief.
 
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