MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State returns home for their first Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series since mid-March when they face Alcorn State in a four-game series beginning Friday night at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
Alabama State (16-15, 10-3 SWAC) looks to bounce back from a pair of mid-week losses, including a walk-off loss to Troy Wednesday night. The Hornets' last home win came back on March 17 against Alabama A&M, however, Alabama State has played just two home games during that span.
The Hornets are playing their sixth conference series of the season, having won their first five of the season. Those series wins have Alabama State atop the East Division by three games in the loss column over Alabama A&M and Jackson State.
The Hornets and Alcorn State (10-19, 4-9 SWAC) met previously this season in Lorman (Miss.), with the Hornets coming away with two wins before the Sunday game was rained out forcing this series to move to four games. The Hornets outscored Alcorn State 20-11 in those games earlier this season.
The series will start Friday night at 6 pm, followed by a doubleheader Saturday afternoon beginning at 2 pm. The series finale takes place Sunday afternoon at 1 pm at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex, a game in which Alcorn State will be the home team.
Alabama State will send
Jeremy Rivera (4-2, 3.57 ERA) to the mound Friday night, followed by
Darren Kelly (4-0, 1.18 ERA) on Saturday in their regular spots in the rotation. The starter for the second game on Saturday is yet to be determined, however,
Ricardo Rivera (3-2, 5.81 ERA) is slated to start the series finale on Sunday.
Offensively, the Hornets are hitting .279 as a team on the year with 80 extra base hits and 234 runs.
Yamil Pagan leads four different players who are hitting .300 or better through the first 31 games of the year for Alabama State, hitting .344 with 42 runs scored. He has recorded 13 extra base hits, including a team-high seven home runs and has driven in 28 runs. Meanwhile,
Noel Cheneau is hitting .331 on the year with 16 extra-base hits including eight doubles and four triples. He has also scored 25 runs and leads the team with 39 runs batted in.
Santiago Garcia is hitting .316 with five home runs and is second on the team with 35 runs batted in, while
Eriq White is hitting .310 with 35 runs scored and nine extra base hits for the Hornets.
All four games will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network, beginning 15 minutes prior to game time; while the games will be part of the Fan-Filled Weekend surrounding the events. The games over the weekend will also be part of the Alumni Weekend for baseball and softball.
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