KNOXVILLE, Tenn. | Wilbert Espinal a double and a home run as Alabama State University fell 10-2 to the No. 4 the University ofo Tennessee at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Tuesday.

Freshman Trey Power (1-2) came out of the bullpen for Alabama State (16-18) and took the loss. Junior Caleb Sanders was a bright spot for the Hornets, coming out of the bullpen as well and throwing 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit, with no walks and two strikeouts.

Espinal's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 2-for-2 day, and included a double, a home run and two RBI. Junior Kameron Douglas furnished a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hornets were trailing 8-0 in the seventh inning when they first put runs on the board. Espinal put Alabama State on the board with a one-out solo home run off junior Ryan Combs.

The Volunteers expanded their lead to 10-1 before the Hornets offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the ninth. Alabama State pushed across a run on Espinal's two-out RBI double, which brought the score to 10-2 in favor of the Volunteers. The ballgame ended with that ninth inning rally falling short.

GAME NOTES
» Alabama State's power output was led by Espinal, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the ninth, when it pushed one run across.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 44 Tennessee hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out four.
» Espinal led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double, a home run and two RBI.
» Tennessee was led offensively by freshman Chris Newstrom, who went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and four RBI.

Alabama State begins a three-game series against SWAC rival Jackson State on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.