MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Juan Cruz delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift Alabama State baseball to an 8-7 walk-off victory over the Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.
Senior Luis Rodriguez (5-3) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Alabama State (21-20, ). The right-hander went three shutout innings without giving up a hit, allowing one walk and striking out seven.
At the plate, the Hornets were led by sophomore Jamal George, who went 2-for-5 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Freshman Quentin Jenkins put together a standout effort as well, going 2-for-3 with a walk and four RBI. Senior Jack Hay also chipped in for Alabama State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double, a triple and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 2-0, the Hornets first put runs on the board in the first inning. Alabama State's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Jenkins.
The Delta Devils failed to push any runs across before the Hornets built on their lead in the third inning. Hay came across to score the lone run of the inning for Alabama State, which brought the Hornets lead to 5-2.
Alabama State's lead had disappeared once the seventh inning arrived and turned into a 7-5 Mississippi Valley State advantage, when the Hornets tied up the game at seven. Alabama State scored two runs, including one on a solo dinger from George.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the tenth, when Alabama State walked it off on an RBI single off the bat of freshman Juan Cruz.
GAME NOTES
» Rodriguez struck out seven Delta Devils hitters.
» The Hornets power output was led by Hay, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Jenkins drove in four runs for Alabama State.
» Every Alabama State starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Alabama State pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Mississippi Valley State hitters.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed four runs across.
» Five Hornets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Hornets out-hit the Delta Devils at a 12-9 clip.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 43 Mississippi Valley State hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out 13.
» The Hornets drew seven walks from Mississippi Valley State pitching.
» George led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.
» Mississippi Valley State was led offensively by senior TY Washingto, who went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and an RBI.
» Senior Kyndall Dolphin led the Delta Devils pitching staff, throwing 2.2 innings of one-run ball.
UP NEXT: Alabama State and MVSU wrap up the series at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
