MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Alabama State Hornets took an 11-10 lead into the eighth inning, but could not hang on and fell 14-11 to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Sunday.
Senior Sebastian Colon (0-1) took the loss on the mound for Alabama State (17-17, 8-7). Freshman Wilfredo Morales was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit.
In the batter's box, the Hornets were paced by senior Ali LaPread, who went 2-for-6 on the day with two home runs and four RBI. Sophomore Jamal George furnished a noteworthy performance as well, going 3-for-6 with a home run and four RBI. Sophomore Devin Chandler also helped out for Alabama State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a home run, a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets were trailing 3-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Chandler put Alabama State on the board with a leadoff home run off senior Daniel Gaviria.
The Hornets kept the deficit at 3-1 before closing the gap further in the third. Alabama State picked up a run on LaPread's two-out solo home run off of Gaviria, which brought the score to 3-2 in favor of the Wildcats.
Bethune-Cookman expanded their lead to 10-2 before the Alabama State offense got going, reducing that lead to 10-6 in the sixth. The Hornets bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of George.
Alabama State held the Wildcats off the board before taking the lead in the seventh. The Hornets scored five runs in the inning, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of LaPread and a two-run single from George, bringing the Alabama State advantage to 11-10. The Hornets were unable to hold the lead, as Bethune-Cookman scored four times over the remaining two innings to grab the 14-11 win.
GAME NOTES
» Alabama State got a two-homer day from LaPread.
» George led the Hornets, amassing three base hits in the ballgame.
» Alabama State's power output was led by LaPread, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» LaPread and George drove in four runs for the Hornets.
» Every Hornets starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed five runs across.
» Four Alabama State hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» The Hornets took Bethune-Cookman pitchers deep four times on Sunday.
» Alabama State batters had a total of 15 hits in the game.
» Alabama State left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Hornets out-hit the Wildcats at a 15-13 clip.
» Alabama State went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 49 Bethune-Cookman hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out five.
» The Hornets drew seven walks from Bethune-Cookman pitching.
» LaPread led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-6 with two home runs and four RBI.
» Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by senior Jose Gonzalez, who went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and five RBI.
» Freshman Dylan Vega led the Wildcats pitching staff, throwing two shutout innings.
UP NEXT: Alabama State at Jacksonville State on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
