JACKSON, Miss. | Alabama State received contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Hornets put eight runs on the board and defeat the Jackson State University, 8-3, on Thursday.
Sophomore Jorhan Laboy (5-3) started on the mound and picked up the win for Alabama State (17-18, 8-7). The southpaw went seven innings, giving up three runs, one earned, on six hits, allowing one walk and striking out three. Junior Caio Araujo also made an impact on the mound for the Hornets, throwing two shutout innings while allowing two hits, with no walks and two strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Alabama State's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a one-run flyout off the bat of freshman Quentin Jenkins.
The Tigers failed to push any runs across before the Hornets built on their lead in the third inning. Alabama State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Jenkins, which brought the Hornets lead to 5-0.
Alabama State held Jackson State scoreless before building their lead to 7-0 in the fifth inning. Senior Cristian Lopez's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for the Hornets.
The Tigers fought back, closing the gap to 7-3 until Alabama State added some insurance in the eighth. Senior Randy Flores crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Hornets, bringing the score to 8-3 in favor of Alabama State. The score remained 8-3 for the rest of the game, as the Hornets coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Alabama State got three-hit games from both sophomore Devin Chandler and Jenkins.
» Every Alabama State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed four runs across.
» Alabama State grabbed a 4-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Hornets out-hit the Tigers at a 14-8 clip.
» Flores stole two bases in Thursday's game.
» Alabama State went 7-for-14 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 37 Jackson State hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out five.
» Jenkins led the Hornets at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBI.
» Jackson State was led offensively by junior Myles White, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
» Junior Stevins Spurgeon led the Tigers pitching staff, throwing 1.2 innings of one-run ball.
UP NEXT: Alabama State and Jackson State meet again on Friday at 6 p.m.
