NEW ORLEANS, La. | Alabama State took an early lead in their semifinal contest but a big inning from Grambling State in the third forced a rematch between the two teams with a 15-9 victory at Wesley Barrow Stadium Friday night.
Alabama State (27-25) jumped on top 5-1 through two innings after getting four runs in the first that started with a walk to
Yamil Pagan, before he moved to second on a single by
Noel Cheneau and scored on a
Santiago Garcia single to left.
Angel Jimenez and
Eriq White followed up with an RBI each to extend the lead to 4-0 through one.
The Hornets added another in the second after a triple by Cheneau with one out in the inning, before scoring on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 5-1. However, Grambling State (27-24) used a 10-run third inning to take the lead 11-5, before extending it with another run in the fifth.
Alabama State used a pair of home runs in the sixth inning to trim the lead to 12-8.
Chris Lewis hit a solo shot to right to pull the Hornets to within five, before Pagan hit his 14th home run of the season – a two-run shot – to left to pull the Hornets to within four before Grambling State was able to pull away.
Lewis led Alabama State at the plate, finishing the night 4-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI; while Pagan finished with a pair of runs scored and RBI on the night. Cheneau finished 2-for-5 with a triple and a pair of runs scored, while Garcia finished with 2-for-5 with an RBI in the loss.
Drexler Macaay led Grambling State at the plate, finishing 5-for-5 with five runs batted in, while Jahmoi Percival and Isaiah Torres each picked up multiple hits.
Darrius Wright (3-4) suffered the loss, working 2.1 innings and was one of five pitchers used on the night by Alabama State. The senior allowed seven runs off of just four hits and recorded six strikeouts. Meanwhile, J.C. Bonilla (1-1) got the win for Grambling State, working 3.2 innings of relief and giving up three runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
First pitch is scheduled for 12 pm Saturday afternoon, with the winner advancing to the championship game of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) tournament. The game can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network, beginning at 11:45 am.
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