MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State baseball mustered just two hits in a 1-0 loss to visiting Mercer on Wednesday at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.

Junior Esaid Pena (0-3) got the ball to start for Alabama State (5-9) and took the loss. The right-hander went 6.2 innings, giving up one run on six hits, allowing two walks and striking out eight. Senior Will Smith was a bright spot for the Hornets, coming out of the bullpen and throwing 1.1 shutout innings, allowing no hits, with one walk and one strikeout.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Alabama State managed one chance with runners on third in the shutout, going a total of 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. The Hornets last got a runner on third in the second, when junior Kameron Douglas made it 90 feet away from scoring with one out.

GAME NOTES
» Pena fanned eight Bears hitters.
» Pena put together 6.2 innings of one-run ball for Alabama State.
» Alabama State pitchers limited Mercer to just 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 38 Mercer hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out 10.
» Junior Kelvin Agosto led the Hornets at the plate, going 1-for-4.
» Mercer was led offensively by junior Brant Baughcum, who went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Sophomore Cade Cosper led the Bears pitching staff, throwing 5.1 shutout innings.

Alabama State opens a three-game series at the University of North Florida on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Jacksonville, Fla.