MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State University baseball team concluded its six-game road swing on Wednesday night as the Hornets went 4-2 during that span and now return home for a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series against Mississippi Valley State.
Alabama State (21-21 overall, 13-5 SWAC) comes into the weekend series off a 14-4 loss at Samford on Wednesday night. The loss halted a three-game win streak by the Hornets as ASU used five pitchers against the Bulldogs. Also in the loss,
Ray Hernandez, who went 2-for-4, belted his first homer since March 24 and is tied for second on the team with five.
The Hornets will look to get back into the win column this weekend against Mississippi Valley State. Last weekend, Alabama State stepped out of conference action and rolled past Grambling State in New Orleans (La.) in a series sweep.
Mississippi Valley State (6-29, 5-16) is currently riding a four-game losing streak after falling on Wednesday night to Northwestern State, 14-0. The Delta Devils have just one win in non-conference play, that coming Feb. 22 in a 10-9 win against Arkansas State. Mississippi Valley State has picked up one win in each of its last two SWAC series, defeating Alcorn State (5-3) on April 14 and Alabama A&M (5-3) on April 21.
This will be the second matchup in the home-and-home series this season. Alabama State swept the series earlier this season and will look to keep its streak going as the Hornets have won 14 straight and hold a 31-19 advantage in the series since 2009.
In the previous series, Alabama State cruised to a 14-2 win in the opener. After rain halted action during the second day of play, the Hornets rallied to a 7-6 victory in 10 innings and a 7-5 win to complete the sweep.
ASU will send to the mound
Tyler Howe on Friday and
Burke Echelmeier on Saturday. Sunday's starter is yet to be determined.
Alabama State begins the three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series on Friday at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. The Hornets will hold Alumni Day on Saturday with the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Cornelius J. Calhoun and conclude the weekend on Sunday with Senior Day.
First pitch against the Delta Devils on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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