HUNTSVILLE, Ala.| After falling in the opening game of the day, Alabama State bounced back for a win in game two to clinch their seventh conference series of the season with a split against Alabama A&M in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action at Bulldog Field Saturday evening.

Alabama State (22-17, 16-4 SWAC) scored in six of the nine innings of game two to pull away for a 12-8 victory over Alabama A&M in the nightcap. The Hornets held the lead from start to finish, and pushed the lead to as big as six at 10-4 until Alabama A&M scored four in the seventh to pull to within 10-8. Alabama State was able to add a pair of runs in the top of the ninth for insurance and the final margin.

Noel Cheneau finished 4-for-6 in the nightcap, scoring three times and driving in three runs – including a three-run home run in the seventh inning to help Alabama State pull away. Five other players picked up multiple hits in the win, including Yamil Pagan who finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and a run batted in.

Santiago Garcia finished the final game 2-for-5 with four runs batted in, while Angel Jimenez and Chris Lewis each finished with a pair of hits and an RBI. Cristopher DeGuzman finished 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored.

Ricardo Rivera (5-2) picked up the win, working 5.0 innings and scattering seven hits. He allowed four runs (two of which were earned) and struck out two, while walking five. Terrell McCall picked up his third save of the season, working 2.2 innings and allowing just two hits with two strikeouts.

In the opener, Alabama A&M had an answer for everything Alabama State had for them and were able to pull away for a 13-6 win over the Hornets.
Eriq White led three Hornets with multiple hits as Alabama State was held to eight as a team, as he finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Cheneau (2-for-5) and Garcia (2-for-5) also recorded multiple hits for the Hornets, while Garcia added three RBI and a pair of runs scored. Garcia and Cameron Hearn each homered in the opening game of the day.

Darren Kelly (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season, working 5.1 innings and allowing nine runs (eight earned) on six hits with nine strikeouts.

Alabama State returns to action Tuesday afternoon against South Alabama at the Wheeler-Watkins Complex, with the two teams resuming their game from early February at 3 pm. In that contest, South Alabama leads Alabama State 4-1 with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, and the two teams will play their regularly scheduled game at the conclusion of that contest.

Both games can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network, beginning at 2:45 pm. Admission is $5 at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex for both games.

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