MONTGOMERY, Ala.| Alabama State clinched the outright East Division title, and top seed from the division in the upcoming tournament, with a 7-6 victory over Jackson State at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex on Senior Day Sunday.
The win clinched the eighth Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series win of the season for Alabama State.
Alabama State (25-20, 18-5 SWAC) jumped on top with five unanswered runs in the first two innings to build a 5-1 lead, before holding on in the ninth for the victory. The Hornets scored three runs in the first inning, using a pair of Jackson State errors to build a 3-1 lead, before putting two more on the board in the second to push the lead to 5-1.
Jackson State (27-20, 13-8 SWAC) answered with a pair of runs in the fourth to trim the lead to 5-3, before the Hornets used an RBI single in the sixth from
Eriq White to push the lead to 6-3. Alabama State was able to get another run across in the seventh on a single from
Chris Lewis to score
Cameron Hearn from first after the ball was bobbled in right, giving the Hornets an insurance run and pushing the lead to 7-3.
That final run from the Hornets proved beneficial as Jackson State came up in the top of the ninth to put three on the board and load the bases with two outs in the inning. The Tigers trailed 7-6 when
Alexander Castro was inserted into the game with two outs and Tyler Culpepper at the plate, who pushed the count full. The runners were in motion as Culpepper sliced a ball between first and second, where Alabama State first baseman
Chris Lewis was able to smother the ball.
Lewis stayed on the ground as he scrambled to get the ball out of his glove, flipping it to Castro covering first for the final out of the inning. That out sent the Hornets into celebration mode with the East Division championship – the second consecutive title for the Hornets.
Alabama State rode the arm of freshman
Ricardo Rivera (6-3) into the ninth inning, where he recorded the first two outs before allowing a pair of hits. Since last Saturday, Rivera has posted a pair of wins and a loss, as well as getting a save on Wednesday. He went 8.2 innings and allowed six runs (all earned) on 11 hits, while striking out two. He gave way to
Nate Gerard and Castro, with the latter earning his first career save in the win.
Yamil Pagan – on Senior Day – finished 4-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while reaching base all five times on the day with a walk. White and
Cristopher DeGuzman each finished with a pair of hits in the win for Alabama State.
Meanwhile, AJ Becerra (4-6) suffered the loss working 6.1 innings and allowing seven runs (three earned) on eight hits. He also walked three and struck out three, before giving way to Mario Lopez who logged 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Raul Hernandez (3-for-5) led Jackson State at the plate.
Alabama State returns to action at Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium Tuesday night against Troy in the Second Annual MAX Stingfest, with first pitch set for 6 pm. Tickets are still available by visiting BiscuitsBaseball.com or by called 334-323-BALL.
The game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network.
Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University baseball, follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.
