MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State pounded out seven hits and had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning before falling to Eastern Michigan 4-3 Sunday afternoon.
Eastern Michigan (2-0) jumped on top early in the game with a run in each the third and fourth innings to take a 2-0 lead before Alabama State was able to get on the board. The Hornets used a two-run home run by
Santiago Garcia to right center field that drove in
Chris Lewis to the game in the bottom of the fourth inning at 2-all.
Alabama State (1-5) took the lead in the fifth when
Jabronski Williams singled to left to drive in
Cristopher DeGuzman giving the Hornets a 3-2 lead, but Eastern Michigan added a run in the seventh to tie the game and the eventual game winning run in the eighth. Alabama State had a chance in the ninth when two outs when
Dilan Espinal tripled down the rightfield line before Eastern Michigan induced a game-ending pop up to win both games of the series.
Lewis and Garcia each ended the day 2-for-4 for the Hornets, while DeGuzman added a double.
Dale Francis picked up his first collegiate hit with a double, finishing the day 1-for-3.
Ricardo Rivera (0-2) suffered the loss, working one inning in relief of starter
Breon Pooler who went 6.2 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts. Rivera went one inning and allowed one run on two hits, while
Payton Harris went the final 1.1 innings with three strikeouts.
Alabama State returns to action this weekend against Jackson State to open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. The series starts on Friday with first pitch set for 6 pm and will continue into Saturday and Sunday.
Only those listed on the player pass list will be admitted into the venue due to socially distant seating. Alabama State is a mask mandatory campus, as are each of the athletic venues.
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