HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Alabama State dropped a series to Alabama A&M since April 2015, falling 3-0 in the series finale at Bulldog Field Sunday afternoon.
Alabama A&M (5-10, 2-4 SWAC) scored the first run of the game when Carlton Peppers hit a bloop single to right that scored Tyus O'Neal El for the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. The Bulldogs added another run in the fourth on a Wilanier Betancourt double to right center that scored Justin Lott for a 2-0 lead.
They would add their final run in the seventh inning on a JT O'Reel single to center that scored Brandon Moore for the final margin.
The shutout was the first against the Hornets in their last 59 games – with the last shutout coming against nationally ranked Louisville in last season's opener. However, Alabama State had their chances as they left 14 runners on base in the contest on Sunday – leaving runners on base in each of the game's innings except the fifth.
Alabama State (9-6, 4-2 SWAC) left multiple runners on base five times, including leaving the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning. In that inning,
Ray Hernandez led off with a single down the right field line, followed by
Hunter Phillips being hit on a 2-1 pitch to put runners at first and second. They both moved up 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt by
Ricky Perez, before the bases become loaded when
Cristopher DeGuzman was hit by a pitch. The inning came to an end on a strikeout, before a diving play in center that robbed
Cage Cox of extra bases and would have given the Hornets the lead.
The next best chance for the Hornets came in the seventh inning after Cox drew a leadoff walk. He was out on a fielder's choice by
Joseph Estrada, who stole second before
Gustavo Rios drew a walk. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch, before Alabama A&M starter Jaret Britt (2-2) was able to work out of the inning.
Gage Dollar (1-2) suffered the loss for Alabama State, working 6.2 innings and allowing three runs off of 10 hits, while striking one and walking a pair.
Britt Buckelew came on in relief to go 1.1 innings and allowed just one hit.
Estrada and Phillips were the only Hornets with multiple hits on the day, with Estrada collecting his third double of the year. Britt and Jose Figueroa, who picked up his first save, scattered nine Alabama State hits.
The Hornets return to action Tuesday afternoon at home against Florida A&M. The game will start at 4 pm inside the Wheeler-Watkins Complex, and can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network.
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