MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State University baseball team used a five-run rally in the seventh and held off Mississippi Valley State as the Hornets picked up a 10-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory on Saturday afternoon during Alumni Day at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
 
Burke Echelmeier started for the Hornets and lasted 3.2 innings. He gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Austin Bizzle (5-0) picked up the win in relief. He fanned six and gave up one in 5.1 innings.
 
Alabama State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with two runs on one hit and took advantage of a Delta Devil error.
 
Joseph Estrada led off the frame with a walk and moved to second on a one-out passed ball. Carlos Ocasio singled to left center to plate Estrada from second. Ocasio came in to score when Gustavo Rios reached on an error.
 
The Hornets added to the lead in the third.
 
With one down in the inning, Ocasio doubled to right center and moved to third with a base hit to left by Rios. Ray Hernandez reached on a fielder's choice as Ocasio scored and Rios was out at second as Alabama State pushed the lead to 3-0.
 
Mississippi Valley State rallied and knocked Echelmeier out of the game in the fourth with five runs on four hits and took advantage of three errors to grab a 5-3 lead.
 
Alabama State capitalized on two errors and scored five times on five hits in the seventh to grab an 8-5 lead.
 
With one down in the inning, Estrada singled through the left side and stole second. Cage Cox walked and both runners advanced a base on a double steal. Ocasio reached on an error as Estrada and Cox scored to tie the game at 5. With two out, Hernandez walked. Ocasio and Hernandez came in to score on a double to left center by Chris Biocic. Hunter Allen followed and plated Biocic with a bloop single. Alabama State loaded the bases but Estrada, who batted for the second time, flied out to center to end the big inning.
 
ASU put the game away in the eighth as Cox led off the frame with a double to left and Rios reached on a one-out bloop single to right. Hernandez followed with a base hit to left as Cox came in to score. Biocic doubled to center as Rios scored to give the Hornets a commanding 10-5 lead.
 
Zac Uecker (1-6) took the loss in 6.2 innings of work. He surrendered eight runs (four earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Aaron Barkley pitched the final 1.1 innings in relief.
 
Alabama State seeks the season sweep of Mississippi Valley State with Senior Day on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. Prior to the game, ASU will honor nine seniors (Chris Biocic, Austin Bizzle, Brandon Caples, Patrick Coffin, Burke Echelmeier, Tyler Howe, Carlos Ocasio, Edgardo Rivera and Jon Roblez).
 
 
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