MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State moved their final game of the series against Mississippi Valley State up a day to avoid impending weather for central Alabama, only to split the Saturday doubleheader.

Alabama State (7-4, 2-1 SWAC) dropped the first game of the doubleheader 12-11 in 10 innings after leading through the first five innings of play. The Hornets put four on the board through the first five, including a three-run spot in the fifth before a pair of errors led to four Mississippi Valley State runs to tie things up in the top of the sixth.

The Hornets took the lead again in the sixth, before a four-run outburst by Mississippi Valley State in the seventh to take an 8-5 lead. However, Alabama State looked to lock the game up with a six-run seventh inning to take an 11-8 lead.

Mississippi Valley State would score three in the eighth and a run in the 10th to win the first game of the doubleheader and force the rubber game of the series.

In the opener, Darren Kelly did not factor into the decision but he did go 5.1 innings and allowed just four hits and struck out eight – leaving with a 4-0 lead. The Hornets used a total of six pictures, including Jeremy Rivera (1-1) who was hit with the loos in 2.0 innings of work.

The Hornets pounded out 15 hits in the opener, led by a trio of players with three hits each. Eriq White (3-for-6), Noel Cheneau (3-for-5) and Hunter May (3-for-5) all drove in a pair of runs in the loss. Yamil Pagan finished 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored in the opener.

In the series finale, Alabama State jumped on top early and stayed there as they ended the game in the seventh on a walk-off double by Cameron Hearn to run-rule Mississippi Valley State 13-3. The Hornets got a complete game effort from Ricardo Rivera (1-1) as he went 7.0 innings and allowed three runs (all earned) off of six hits, with 11 strikeouts.

Pagan finished 3-for-5 in the nightcap with three runs scored and six RBI, including a pair of home runs. Hearn finished 2-for-5 with a pair of runs batted in, while Cheneau finished 2-for-4 with three runs batted in – including a home run.

Alabama State returns to action Tuesday on the road when they face Georgia in Athens, with first pitch scheduled for 4 pm.

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