GAME 2 | Alabama State 7, Maryland-Eastern Shore 5
MONTGOMERY, AL -- Ali Lapread recorded three RBI as Alabama State held off a late Maryland-Eastern Shoe rally for 7-5 win and a doubleheader sweep on Saturday.
Sophomore Jorhan Laboy (1-1) got the win for Alabama State (5-5). The left-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on five hits, allowing two walks and striking out four. Senior Luis Rodriguez also pitched well, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out three.
At the plate, the Hornets were paced by senior Ali LaPread, who went 2-for-4 on the day with two doubles, a walk and three RBI. Freshman Joel Collado put together a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Freshman Isaiah Landry also contributed for Alabama State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding two walks and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets were trailing 1-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Collado put Alabama State on the board with a two-out solo home run off freshman Justin Spencer.
The score stayed at 1-1 until the very next inning, when the Hornets put runs on the scoreboard once again. Alabama State pushed across a run on senior Randy Flores' RBI double, which brought the Hornets lead to 2-1.
Alabama State held Maryland-Eastern Shore without a run before building their lead to 4-1 the following inning. The Hornets pushed two runs across on a two-run double from LaPread that scored Landry and freshman Niguel Jenkins.
Alabama State held the Hawks scoreless before their offense got things rolling the next inning. Alabama State's offense put up a three spot in the inning, bringing the Alabama State advantage to 7-1. Maryland-Eastern Shore put four runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Hornets still held on for the 7-5 win.
GAME NOTES
» The Hornets power output was led by LaPread, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Alabama State grabbed the lead at 2-1 in the bottom half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 35 Maryland-Eastern Shore hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Hornets drew eight walks from Maryland-Eastern Shore pitching.
» LaPread led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
» Maryland-Eastern Shore was led offensively by sophomore Ryan Howe, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI.
UP NEXT: Alabama State and Maryland-Eastern Shore conclude the three-game series with a single game on Sunday at 11 a.m.
