PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas | Alabama State Univeristy used a massive eight-run seventh inning to pull away and secure a 14-8 victory over Prairie View A&M on Friday afternoon at Tankersley Field, closing out their SWAC regular season series on a high note.

The Hornets (29-27, 21-9 SWAC) pounded out 18 hits and drew 11 walks, putting relentless pressure on the Panthers' pitching staff in the win. Juan Cruz led the offensive onslaught, going 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, and a three-run homer, driving in five runs. Kameron Douglas also homered and drove in two, while catcher DeMarckus Smiley added three hits and three RBI of his own.

Alabama State struck early with a run in the first, then chipped away with two more in the third and two in the fourth. Prairie View (17-36, 13-13 SWAC) kept pace through six innings, thanks in part to a three-hit, three-RBI performance from Landon Williams, who also homered and tripled, and a solo homer by Ahmar Donatto.

Tied 6-6 entering the seventh, the Hornets broke the game open. Alabama State sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning, scoring eight runs on six hits, three walks, and a costly error. Douglas and Cruz highlighted the rally with back-to-back extra-base hits, while Luke Parmentier added a two-run single.

Reliever Caleb Sanders (1-4) earned the win, tossing 2.1 solid innings with five strikeouts. Jafet Martinez closed the door with a scoreless ninth. Prairie View's Beau Beaty (0-2) took the loss, charged with six runs over 2.1 innings.

The Hornets' pitching staff worked around 11 hits and seven walks, aided by error-free defense and timely outs. 

Alabama State will be the third overall seed in next week's SWAC Baseball Tournament at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., on May 21-25.