MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Catcher Demarkus Smiley collected five RBI but it was not enought as Alabama State University fell to the No. 15 Troy University 12-10  on Tuesday at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.

Kameron Douglas (0-1) got the ball to start for Alabama State (21-21) and took the loss. Junior Will Bartkoski was a bright spot for the Hornets, coming out of the bullpen and throwing 4.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits, with two walks and four strikeouts.

Espinal's three extra base hits were the highlight of a 3-for-4 day, and included two doubles, a home run, a walk and an RBI. Senior DeMarckus Smiley put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-5 with a double and five RBI. Sophomore Juan Cruz also helped out for the Hornets, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a double.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hornets were trailing 2-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Espinal put Alabama State on the board with a leadoff home run off senior Grayson Stewart.

The Trojans expanded their lead to 8-1 before the Hornets offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the fourth. Alabama State scored three runs in the frame, buoyed by a two-run single off the bat of Smiley, which tightened the Trojans lead to 8-4.

Troy built their lead to 11-4 before the Alabama State offense got going, reducing that lead to 11-8 in the fifth. The Hornets bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a two-run double off the bat of Smiley.

Alabama State held the Trojans off the board before narrowing the gap in the seventh. Luke Parmentier and Espinal each scored a run for the Hornets in the inning, tightening the Troy lead to 11-10. The Hornets were unable to get any closer, as Troy added one run to their tally in the eighth to make the score 12-10

GAME NOTES
» Espinal led the Hornets at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and an RBI.
» Smiley drove in five runs for the Hornets.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed four runs across.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 47 Troy hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Hornets drew four walks from Troy pitching.
» Troy was led offensively by Gavin Schrader, who went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.
» Stewart led the Trojans pitching staff, throwing three innings of one-run ball.

Alabama State opens a three-game conference series against Texas Southern on Friday at 6 p.m.