JACKSON, Miss. | Despite a two-run homerun from
Hunter Allen in the seventh, the Alabama State comeback fell short to Jackson State in a 9-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) loss on the road at Braddy Field Friday night.
Allen gave Alabama State (20-18,14-5 SWAC) their first lead of the night on a first pitch fastball, launching the ball over the 20-foot high left field wall to score
Gustavo Rios and give Alabama State a 7-6 lead. However, Jackson State was able to add a pair of runs in the bottom half of the seventh inning and an insurance run in the ninth for the final margin.
The senior finished the night 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored, while
Gustavo Rios finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and a run batted in. The Hornets were held to seven hits by a trio of pitchers including Mark Watson (5-2), who picked up the win in relief working 2.2 innings. Jose Tirado picked up his 11th save of the season with two innings of hitless relief.
Alabama State fell behind early as Jackson State was able to get to get four runs in the first inning off starter
Dalton Wilder, who lasted 4.1 innings and scattered 11 hits. The Hornets responded in the second with three runs to trim the deficit to 4-3 after
Hunter Phillips reached on a fielder's choice to first when Raul Hernandez threw the ball away at second, allowing a pair of runs to score. They added another run when
Joseph Estrada hit a sacrifice fly to center to score
Noel Cheneau.
Jackson State (25-13, 14-5 SWAC) added another run in the second to push the lead to 5-3. The Hornets added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth when Estrada scored on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by
Yamil Pagan, before he scored on an RBI single by
Gustavo Rios.
Chase Laney (4-1) suffered the loss, working 3.2 innings out of the bullpen, allowing three runs – two earned – off of four hits.
The two teams continue the series Saturday afternoon at 3 pm. The game can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network, with pregame starting at 2:45 pm.
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