JACKSON, Miss. | Freshman Isaiah Landry and freshman Juan Cruz each collected three hits to help lead the Alabama State Hornets past the Jackson State Tigers 12-2 on Sunday.
Senior Luis Rodriguez (4-3) got the win for Alabama State (19-19, 10-8). The right-hander went five innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on two hits, allowing six walks and striking out four. Freshman Juan Berrios also pitched well, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out one.
In addition to his three hits, Landry had a walk and an RBI to lead the Hornets. Senior Ali LaPread added a home run, a walk and two RBI to his three-hit performance as well. Cruz also helped out for Alabama State, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. LaPread put Alabama State on the board with a two-out solo home run off junior Erick Gonzalez.
The Tigers failed to push any runs across before the Hornets offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. The Alabama State offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a one-run sac off the bat of freshman Dylan Escobar, which brought the Hornets lead to 6-0.
Jackson State narrowed Alabama State's lead to 6-1 before the Hornets stretched the advantage to 9-1 in the fourth inning.
The Tigers gained ground, closing the gap to 9-2 until Alabama State added some insurance in the sixth. The Hornets drove in a run on Cruz's RBI double, bringing the Alabama State advantage to 10-2.
The Hornets held Jackson State scoreless before expanding their lead to 12-2 the following inning. Alabama State managed to push across two runs in the inning. The score remained 12-2 for the rest of the game, as the Hornets coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Alabama State got three-hit games from three different hitters.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed five runs across.
» Alabama State took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Five Hornets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Hornets out-hit the Tigers at a 14-3 clip.
» Senior Randy Flores stole two bases in Sunday's game.
» Alabama State went 5-for-15 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers limited Jackson State to just 1-for-10 (.100) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 31 Jackson State hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out five.
» The Hornets drew four walks from Jackson State pitching.
» LaPread led the Hornets at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Jackson State was led offensively by senior Rodney Hibler, who went 0-for-1.
» Sophomore Miles Thomas led the Tigers pitching staff, throwing one shutout inning.
