MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University rallied from a 4-2 deficit to knock off the Bethune-Cookman University, 5-4 on Friday.
Junior Jose Almazan (3-4) got the win out of the bullpen for Alabama State (15-16, 6-6). The right-hander went four innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on five hits, allowing three walks and striking out one. Freshman Jafet Martinez started the ballgame and went five innings, surrendering one run on two hits, walking none and striking out five.
Offensively, the Hornets were paced by freshman Juan Cruz, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Senior Randy Flores furnished a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 with a double. Sophomore Jamal George also chipped in for Alabama State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets were trailing 1-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Alabama State got an RBI single from freshman Isaiah Landry, scoring sophomore Devin Chandler from second base.
The score stayed at 1-1 until the very next inning, when the Hornets put runs on the scoreboard once again. Flores came across to score the lone run of the inning for Alabama State, which brought the Hornets lead to 2-1.
Alabama State's lead had disappeared by the time the seventh inning arrived and turned into a 4-2 Bethune-Cookman advantage, when the Hornets re-took control at 5-4. The Hornets picked up three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-run homer from Cruz. The score remained 5-4 for the rest of the game, as Alabama State held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Flores compiled three base hits in the game for Alabama State.
» Martinez struck out five Wildcats hitters.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Hornets out-hit the Wildcats at a 10-7 clip.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 39 Bethune-Cookman hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and 16 fly balls while striking out six.
» Cruz led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by junior Sergio Rivera, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
» Sophomore Pablo Torres led the Wildcats pitching staff, throwing 1.2 shutout innings.
UP NEXT: Alabama State and Bethune-Cookman play game two of the series on Saturdayat 6 p.m.
