DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --The Alabama State Hornets took a 2-0 lead in the second inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 7-2 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Friday.

Freshman Jafet Martinez (3-3) started on the mound and picked up the win for Alabama State (28-24, 18-11). The right-hander went 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on four hits, allowing one walk and striking out five. Junior Caio Araujo also made an impact on the mound for the Hornets, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing one hit, with no walks and four strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hornets got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Alabama State scored twice, with one run coming across on freshman Quentin Jenkins' single.

The Hornets then held the Wildcats scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Freshman Juan Cruz's run-scoring single highlighted an inning where Alabama State scored twice, which brought the Hornets lead to 4-0.

Alabama State kept Bethune-Cookman without a run before building their lead to 6-0 the following inning. Senior Randy Flores' run-scoring single highlighted a two-run output in the frame for the Hornets.

The Wildcats fought back, closing the gap to 6-2 until Alabama State added some insurance in the ninth. Flores crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Hornets, bringing the Alabama State advantage to 7-2. The score remained 7-2 for the rest of the game, as the Hornets coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES
» Martinez struck out five Wildcats hitters.
» Alabama State's highest-scoring inning was the fourth when it pushed two runs across.
» The Hornets had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Wildcats 2-0 in the top of the second.
» The Hornets out-hit the Wildcats at an 8-5 clip.
» Flores stole two bases in Friday's game.
» Alabama State went 5-for-12 (.417) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers limited Bethune-Cookman to just 1-for-6 (.167) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 32 Bethune-Cookman hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Hornets drew six walks from Bethune-Cookman pitching.
» Flores led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
» Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by senior Jose Gonzalez, who went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Freshman Joel Core led the Wildcats pitching staff, throwing 4.2 scoreless innings.