NEW ORLEANS, La. | Alabama State jumped ahead early, but couldn't overcome a big Arkansas-Pine Bluff inning as they fell to the Golden Lions 8-5 in the final game of the Andre Dawson Classic.
 
Alabama State (2-1) jumped ahead early with a three-run first inning, which started with an RBI single by Cage Cox that scored Joseph Estrada for the early one-run lead. The Hornets added to the lead with a bases loaded walk to Hunter Allen that drove home Yamil Pagan, and then ended the scoring with a sacrifice fly by Hunter Phillips to grab an early 3-0 lead.
 
However, UAPB (2-1) was able to come back in the top of the second inning and pout four runs on the board against freshman Dalton Wilder (0-1) in his first collegiate start. The Golden Lions used an extra base hits to take the lead, using three unearned runs to jump ahead.
 
They added a single run in each the fourth and sixth to push the lead to 6-3, before Alabama State was able to get back on the board in the seventh inning when Gustavo Rios singled through the left side to trim the deficit to 8-4. The Hornets added another run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Phillips that scored Estrada for the final margin.
 
Wilder went five innings, allowed five runs – only two earned – on five hits, while striking out four. Fellow freshman, Gage Dollar came on in relief for one inning and allowed two runs – only one earned – off of one hit; while Britt Buckelew went three innings and allowed one run off of four hits.
 
Estrada finished the day with a pair of hits, going 2-for-3 in the leadoff spot with a pair of runs scored and an RBI. Phillips picked up a pair of hits, while Joshua Dunson also picked up a pair – finishing the day 2-for-3.
 
Alabama State returns to action Tuesday night in their home opener against UAB, with first pitch scheduled for 6 pm at the Wheeler-Watkins Complex. The game will be the first of back-to-back games against the Blazers, as the two teams will meet at Regions Park in Birmingham Wednesday night.

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