MOREHEAD, Ky. | Morehead State scored three runs in the third inning to pull away from Alabama State, and defeated the Hornets 9-2 in non-conference action at Allen Field Tuesday afternoon.
Morehead State (15-5) scored a run in the first inning after a pair of Alabama State errors kept the inning alive, before using three hits and loading the bases in the third to pull away. The Eagles score their first run of the inning when Hunter Fain was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to push the lead to 2-0, before Stephen Hill followed with an RBI single for a 3-0 lead.
The Eagles scored their final run of the inning on a fielder's choice by Arthur Sells that drove in a run for a 4-0 lead. They added another run in the bottom of the fifth before Alabama State could get on the board.
Alabama State (11-10) was able to get on the board in the top of the sixth inning after
Yamil Pagan reached on a single to right center to lead off the inning. He moved over to second on a stolen base, before
Eriq White drew a walk to put a pair of runners on with no outs in the inning.
Noel Cheneau was hit by a pitch to load the bases, before
Santiago Garcia grounded into a double play and allowed Pagan to score from third to trim the lead to 5-1.
Morehead State added a pair of runs in the seventh and the eighth to push the lead to 9-1, before Garcia responded with a solo home run to left in the top of the ninth inning for the final margin.
Jeremy Rivera (2-2) suffered the loss in his first collegiate start, working 5.0 innings. He scattered nine hits and allowed five runs (two of which were earned), while striking out three and walking one. The freshman was one of five pitchers used on the day for the Hornets. Meanwhile, Garret Rogers (2-1) picked up the win, working 6.0 innings and allowed one run off of three hits with eight strikeouts. David Looney recorded the save, working 3.0 innings and allowing one run off of one hit.
Pagan finished 2-for-4 on the day for the Hornets, the only Alabama State player with multiple hits on the day; while Jake Hammon finished 3-for-5 to lead five players with multiple hits for Morehead State.
The two teams will meet in the series finale Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm (est) on ESPN+. The game will be carried by the Hornet Sports Network, beginning with pregame at 12:45 pm (est).
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