MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University baseball rallied to score three in the ninth inning and walked it off on freshman Juan Cruz's three-run home to pick up the 6-5 win over the Florida A&M University on Friday.
Junior Will Smith (2-1) got the win out of the bullpen for Alabama State (26-22, ). The right-hander went four shutout innings, giving up two hits, one walk and striking out eight.
In the batter's box, the Hornets were paced by Cruz, who went 2-for-5 on the day with a home run and four RBI. Senior Ali LaPread put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Senior Randy Flores also chipped in for Alabama State, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate while adding a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets were trailing 3-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Alabama State got an RBI single from Cruz, scoring freshman Isaiah Landry from third base.
The Hornets deficit grew to 4-1 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the fifth inning. Alabama State scored twice on LaPread's two-run homer, which tightened the Rattlers lead to 4-3.
Florida A&M extended their lead to 5-3 before Alabama State rallied to score three times in the bottom half of the ninth to claim victory, walking it off on Cruz's three-run homer off of Harrison.
GAME NOTES
» Alabama State got three-hit games from both Flores and LaPread.
» Smith struck out eight Rattlers hitters.
» Cruz drove in four runs for Alabama State.
» The Alabama State pitching staff combined to strike out 13 Florida A&M hitters.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the ninth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Four Hornets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Hornets out-hit the Rattlers at a 14-13 clip.
» Alabama State went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 44 Florida A&M hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out 13.
» Cruz led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI.
» Florida A&M was led offensively by sophomore Jordan , who went 1-for-5 with a home run and an RBI.
UP NEXT: Alabama State and Florida A&M play game two of the series on Saturday at 6 p.m.
