BATON ROUGE, La. | Despite picking up 10 hits and out-hitting Southern, Alabama State baseball was unable to push across more runs, as the Hornets dropped the series finale to Southern Univeristy, 11-3, on Sunday
Freshman Jacob Loeffler (0-0) got the ball to start for Alabama State (9-12, ) and took the loss.
In the batter's box, the Hornets were led by freshman A.Espaillat, who went 2-for-5 on the day with a double. Sophomore Juan Cruz compiled a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a double. Junior K. Douglas also helped out for Alabama State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Alabama State got an RBI single from junior W. Espinal, scoring junior K. Agosto from third base.
After the Jaguars rallied to tie the ballgame at one, the Hornets came back to retake the lead in the third inning. Cruz came across to score the lone run of the inning for Alabama State, which brought the score to 2-1 in favor of the Hornets.
Alabama State's lead had evaporated once the eighth inning came around and turned into a 10-2 Southern advantage, when the Hornets cut that deficit to 10-3. The Hornets scored once on an RBI single off the bat of senior D. Smiley. The Hornets were unable to get any closer, as Southern added one run to their tally on the way to an 11-3 final.
GAME NOTES
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the eighth, when it pushed one run across.
» The Hornets out-hit the Jaguars at a 10-8 clip.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 47 Southern hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and five fly balls while striking out seven.
» A.Espaillat led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double.
» Southern was led offensively by junior Kameron Byrd, who went 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBI.
» Senior Nick Luckett led the Jaguars pitching staff, throwing nine innings of three-run ball.
Alabama State travels to play Auburn on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Auburn, Ala.
