TUSCALOOSA, Ala. | AJ Gardner blasted his first collegiate home run to pull Alabama State to within three late in the contest, but Alabama was able to pull away with a big eighth inning for a 10-3 victory at Sewell-Thomas Stadium Wednesday night.

Alabama State (3-1) fell behind 4-0 in the first inning before they were able to get on the board in the top of the second with an RBI single off the bat of Cristopher DeGuzman that scored Dilan Espinal to trim the deficit to 4-1. After a pair of Alabama runs in the third that extended the lead to 6-1, Gardner was able to put the Hornets on the board.

The redshirt sophomore faced a full count with two outs in the top of the seventh inning when he got a pitch, he was able to drive. Gardner connected and hit his first collegiate home run to left to score Chris Lewis and trimmed the deficit to 6-3. However, Alabama (4-0) was able to answer in the bottom of the eighth inning for the final margin.

Ryan Velazquez (0-1), one of four pitchers used on the day for Alabama State, suffered the loss in his first collegiate start. He worked 2.1 innings and allowed six runs off of three hits, while walking three and striking out one. Ricardo Rivera came on for 4.2 innings of relief and allowed just one run off of three hits.

DeGuzman led Alabama State with a pair of hits, finishing the day 2-for-3 for the Hornets, while four other players picked up a hit each. Dylan Smith (1-0) picked up the win in relief, working 2.0 innings out of the bullpen and allowing just one hit.

Alabama State returns to action Friday night against Oakland at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex, with first pitch set for 6 pm.

#Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University baseball, please 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.