MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State Hornets earned an important SWAC conference victory over Florida A&M University on Sunday, earning a sweep of the series and sole possession of first place in the division at Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. The win was the 10th straight in conference play for the Hornets which gave them a three-game lead in the East with three conference series left in the regular season. The win was also the 30th of the season, just the seventh time in school history the program has reached that number.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
FINAL: Alabama State 13, Florida A&M 10
Location: Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex | Montgomery, Ala.
Records: Alabama State 30-15 (18-3 SWAC) | Florida A&M 21-21 (15-6)
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HOW IT HAPPENED
· ASU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning that included a run-scoring single from
Ali Lapread and a double off the bat of
Corey King that plated a run.
· The Rattlers scored a run in the second on a solo home run from Sebastian Greico (one of two for him on the day) before ASU added two more runs with a home run from
Randy Flores and a bases-loaded walk to Lepread.
· After a two-run homer by FAMU's Joseph Pierini in the top of the fourth, the Hornets scored four times in their half of the inning with the highlight coming on a two-run single by
Cristian Lopez. Two ASU batters were hit by a pitch (
Ian Matos and King, with his HBP forcing in a run) and a bases-loaded walk to Lapread.
· FAMU scored a run in the fifth but the Hornets answered in the bottom of the sixth on another two-run single by Lopez.
· The Rattlers' biggest inning came in the top of the eighth when they scored four runs, two of which was on a homer by Ty Hanchey. But ASU got two runs back in the bottom of the inning with Lepread's team-leading 10th home run of the season and Kerrigan Edmondson's single that scored King.
ON THE MOUND
· The Hornets used a four-pitcher combination for the win with
Shadai Colon getting the start and going two innings and giving up a run on two hits. The four did not give up the lead at any time in the game.
·
Adiel Melendez went four innings in relief, allowing four runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked two.
· After
Sebastian Colon went an inning and a third, giving up four runs,
Luis Rodriguez finished the game with an inning-plus, allowing a hit and striking out three. He pitched a scoreless ninth, earning the save, his sixth of the year. Melendez (1-0) was awarded the win.
· Raylan Wagner (2-1) was tagged with his first loss of the year. FAMU's four pitchers issued a combined eight base on balls and hit four batters in the loss.
INSIDE THE BOX
· Lapread was perfect at the plate with two hits - a single and a home run - to go along with three walks. He scored four runs and drove in four.
· Flores added two singles to his second-inning homer, his sixth of the year.
· King finished with two hits, both doubles, with two RBIs.
· Lopez had three singles that plated four runs.
· FAMU hit four home runs on the day with two coming from Greico and one each from Pierini and Hanchey.
UP NEXT: ASU leaves the friendly confines of Wheeler-Watkins for the first time in conference play since April 2. The Hornets visit Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena on Friday, May 5 for the start of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT at Magnolia Field.
