TUSCALOOSA, Ala. | Alabama State fell to 29th-ranked Alabama 11-1 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in non-conference action Wednesday night.
After a scoreless first inning, Alabama (9-0) got on the board first after Matt Malkin and Connor Short reached on back-to-back singles in the bottom of the second. The both came around to score on a two-out single by Hunter Alexander through the right side for a 2-0 lead, before the Hornets worked out of the bases loaded jam in the inning.
The Crimson Tide added another run in the third inning when Malkin singled through the left side to score Chandler Avant for a 3-0 lead off of Alabama State starter
Ivanniel Vazquez (0-1).
Alabama State (5-4) was able to get on the board in the fourth after
Noel Cheneau reached on a fielder's choice, and then stole second and third. He would then score on a wild pitch on a walk to
Yamil Pagan to trim the deficit to 3-1. Pagan would later go on to steal second in the inning, the third stolen base of the inning for the Hornets.
The Crimson Tide answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth, before opening the game up with seven runs combined in the seventh and eighth innings for the final margin.
Vazquez suffered the loss for the Hornets, working five-plus innings and allowing four runs (three earned) off of seven hits. He also struck out five and walked three in his second start of the season.
Britt Buckelew,
Channing Walker and
Alexander Castro each made an appearance out of the bullpen for the Hornets
Meanwhile, Mason Duke (1-0) picked up the win for Alabama as one of four pitchers who scattered four Alabama State hits. Duke worked five innings and striking out seven in the start.
Alabama State turns its attention to conference play, opening Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play against Alcorn State. The three game series starts Friday night at 6 pm at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. Admission is free to all home baseball games.
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