MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State recorded their third consecutive walk-off win over Toledo, this time using the bat of AJ Gardner in the bottom of the ninth with two outs for a 9-8 victory at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex Sunday afternoon.

The win completed the sweep for Alabama State (10-3) over the Rockets in a four-game set, with all four games decided by one run over the weekend. It is also the second consecutive series sweep for the Hornets, and the third consecutive undefeated weekend to start the 2020 campaign.

After a double play in the bottom of the ninth cleared the bases for the Hornets, AJ Gardner stepped to the plate. After swinging and missing at the first pitch, the redshirt sophomore took a ball to even the count at 1-1 before driving the ball over the wall for his second home run of the season and ending the contest.

Alabama State trailed most of the game, including 6-1 after Toledo (1-10) scored six runs in the top of the fourth inning. However, the Hornets chipped away at the lead the remainder of the game including scoring a pair of runs in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. However, Toledo scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth and led the 8-7 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning.

Jayden Sloan reached on a one-out walk in the bottom of the eighth inning and advanced to second after Dilan Espinal was hit by a pitch and scored on a Jabronski Williams double to right center to tie the game at 8-all. Jordan Gould retired the Rockets in order in the top of the ninth inning to set up the heroics for Gardner and the Hornets in the bottom of the ninth.

Although Gardner recorded the final score of the day, Angel Jimenez led Alabama State at the plate going 4-for-5 on the day. He blasted a pair of home runs – his first two of the season – in a start in left field in the series finale. He also finished with a double and three runs batted in for the Hornets. Meanwhile, Gardner finished 3-for-5 with a double, home run and a pair of runs batted in for the Hornets who finished with 11 hits as a team.

Gould (1-0) went 4.1 innings of scoreless relief for the Hornets allowing just one hit, while striking out five to pick up his first collegiate victory. He came on in relief of starter Austin King who went 4.2 innings and struck out seven for Alabama State.

Alabama State returns to action next weekend on the road opening Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play against Mississippi Valley State on Friday in a three-game series.

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