MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The future is bright for Alabama State baseball midway through the 2018 season as several freshmen came up big for the Hornets as they won the rubber game over Mississippi Valley State, 5-1, in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action Saturday afternoon at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
 
Mississippi Valley State (7-19, 6-6 SWAC) led 1-0 through the first four innings until Alabama State got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game, before eventually taking the lead in the sixth. After a double play ended a scoring threat in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Hornets were able to load the bases again on a walk to freshman Santiago Garcia. They tied the game up after another freshman, Chris Lewis, battled in his at-bat before drawing a two-strike, two-out walk to drive in senior Joseph Estrada to tie the game at 1-all.
 
The game stayed that way until Alabama State (14-12, 8-4 SWAC) came back to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning. After the first two batters were retired by Mississippi Valley State starter Zac Uecker (2-6), freshman Cristopher DeGuzman drew a two-out walk. He moved to second on a single by Estrada, before scoring on a single by Noel Cheneau with two strikes to give Alabama State a 2-1 lead.
 
The Hornets would open up the seventh with a solo home run by Garcia to push the lead to 3-1, before Lewis drew his third walk of the day and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hunter Allen. After a Joshua Dunson infield single, Lewis would score on a safety squeeze by freshman AJ Gardner to push the lead to 4-1. DeGuzman drove in Dunson before being thrown out at second for the final run of the game for Alabama State.
 
Another freshman, Gage Dollar (2-2) picked up the win as he went six innings and allowed just one run (which was earned) off of five hits, while striking out five. He gave way to senior Ivanniel Vazquez, who earned his first career save with three innings of scoreless relief.
 
Cheneau, Ray Hernandez and Dunson each collected a pair of hits for Alabama State; however, four of the five runs driven in by the Hornets all came from freshman. Lewis finished the day 0-1 but had three walks and was hit by a pitch one time, reaching base in four of his five trips to the plate.
 
Alabama State returns to action Tuesday on the road at Samford, as they face the Bulldogs for the second time this season. First pitch is scheduled for 6 pm, and the game can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network.
 
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