ATLANTA, Ga. | Juan Cruz put together an outstanding outing at the plate Friday, hitting three home runs, but it was not enough as the Alabama State Hornets fell to the Grambling Tigers 11-10 in an elmination game at the 2024 Pepsi SWAC Tournament. .
Senior Luis Rodriguez (6-4) took the loss on the mound for Alabama State (29-27). Junior Will Smith was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going five innings, surrendering two runs, both earned, on three hits, walking one and striking out nine.
Cruz went 3-for-5 at the plate, supplementing his three home runs with five RBIs. Senior Ali LaPread added to Cruz's awesome power-hitting performance by going 2-for-4 with two RBI along with one walk. Junior Kyler McIntosh also helped out for the Hornets, going 2-for-4 with two doubles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Alabama State's offense started clicking and put up six runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of Cruz.
The Tigers then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 6-4 until the Hornets expanded their advantage in the third. McIntosh came across to score the lone run of the inning for Alabama State, which brought the score to 7-4 in favor of the Hornets.
Alabama State kept Grambling scoreless before building their lead to 8-4 the following inning. The Hornets recorded a run on Cruz's one-out solo home run off senior Miguel Baez.
The Tigers gained ground, closing the gap to 8-6 until Alabama State added some insurance in the eighth. The Hornets scored twice on Cruz's two-run homer, bringing the score to 10-6 in favor of Alabama State. The Hornets were unable to hold the lead, as Grambling scored five times over the remaining one inning to grab the 11-10 win.
GAME NOTES
» Cruz led the Hornets, amassing three hits in the ballgame.
» Smith fanned nine Tigers hitters.
» Alabama State got multiple extra-base hits from both Cruz and McIntosh.
» Cruz drove in five runs for the Hornets.
» Every Hornets starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Hornets pitchers combined to strike out 12 Grambling hitters.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed six runs across.
» The Hornets took Grambling pitchers deep three times on Friday.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 40 Grambling hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and six fly balls while striking out 12.
» Cruz led the Hornets at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three home runs and five RBI.
» Grambling was led offensively by senior Cameron Bufford, who went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI.
» Senior Javier Martinez led the Tigers pitching staff, throwing four innings of two-run ball.
