MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State looks to end a modest two-game losing streak this weekend, hitting the road for a key Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series at Jackson State beginning Friday night.
Alabama State (20-17, 14-4 SWAC) sits atop the SWAC East Division following their sweep of Alabama A&M last weekend, holding a one game edge over Jackson State (21-12, 13-5 SWAC). The two teams met earlier this season with Jackson State winning the first game of the series, before Alabama State was able to come back and win the final two games to take the series.
The Hornets enter the game looking to bounce back after dropping a pair of non-conference midweek games to Jacksonville State and Troy, in games they were held to a pair of runs in each of the losses. The Hornets entered the week having scored 39 runs in three games against Alabama A&M, and were averaging just over 10 runs per game as offensively they were able put 89 runs in their previous eight games.
Ray Hernandez leads Alabama State offensively in most categories, including hitting .364 with a team-high 51 hits. He also has six doubles, eight home runs and 32 runs batted in; all while slugging .579 and recording a team-high 12 stolen bases.
Joseph Estrada is hitting .326 with 12 extra base hits – including six doubles, three triples and three home runs – and has knocked in 26 runs from the leadoff spot.
Hunter Phillips (.323) and
Noel Cheneau (.314) are each over .300, while
Gustavo Rios has seen is average climb 70 points in the last month as he hitting .309 with four doubles and four home runs – including two in the last three games.
On the mound, Alabama State will send freshman
Dalton Wilder (1-3, 3.00 ERA) to the mound Friday night for the second time against the Tigers after dropping a 2-0 decision in their first meeting. The Hornets will then send
Darrius Wright (6-1, 2.37 ERA) on Saturday and
Gage Dollar (4-2, 5.13 ERA) for the remainder of the weekend.
The series begins with first pitch at 6 pm Friday night at Braddy Field, with the entire series being carried on the Hornet Sports Network – beginning with pregame at 5:45 pm Friday night.
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