MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University basebal put together a spirited comeback, scoring three runs over the eighth and ninth innings, but the late-game rally came up short in a 7-5 loss to the Florida A&M University at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex on Saturday.

Junior Jose Almazan (3-5) started and took the loss on the mound for Alabama State (26-23, ). Senior Luis Rodriguez was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going three shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking two and striking out three.

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. Freshman Juan Cruz put Alabama State on the board with a two-out solo home run off freshman Carson Kelly.

The Hornets lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the fourth trailing 3-1. Alabama State scored a run when sophomore Jamal George drew a walk from Kelly that scored Cruz, which brought the score to 3-2 in favor of the Rattlers.

Florida A&M built their lead to 7-2 before the Alabama State offense got going, reducing that lead to 7-4 in the eighth. Senior Cristian Lopez's run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for the Hornets.

Alabama State kept the Rattlers off the board before narrowing the gap further in the ninth. The Hornets scored once on an RBI single off the bat of junior Kyler McIntosh, tightening the Florida A&M lead to 7-5. The Hornets were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

GAME NOTES
» The Hornets got three-hit games from both Cruz and McIntosh.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Alabama State left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 42 Florida A&M hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out 10.
» The Hornets drew four walks from Florida A&M pitching.
» Cruz led the Hornets at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Florida A&M was led offensively by junior Janmikell Bastardo, who went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and four RBI.
» Kelly led the Rattlers pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.

Alabama State will honor its mothers and seniors.prior to the series finals on Sunday at 1 p.m.