BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama State University baseball mounted a fierce rally in the later innings but ultimately came up just short in a hard-fought 9-8 loss to top seed Bethune-Cookman on Thursday evening at historic Rickwood Field at the 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball Championship.
The Hornets (30-28) clawed back from a 7-0 deficit to to take a 8-7 in the seventh inning.. Alabama State plated four runs in the top of the seventh, highlighted by a two-RBI double from first baseman
Juan Cruz, who finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and two doubles.
Right fielder
Kameron Douglas also delivered with a triple and two RBI, while catcher
DeMarckus Smiley contributed a multi-hit effort and added an RBI. Despite a late push, Alabama State was unable to overcome the early damage inflicted by a five-run second inning from Bethune-Cookman.
Starting pitcher
Will Bartkoski (0-1) struggled early, giving up six runs in just 1.1 innings of work. Reliever
Caleb Sanders provided valuable innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one earned run over 5.1 frames to help stabilize the game and keep the Hornets within striking distance.
Jafet Martinez added a scoreless 1.1 innings in relief.
Bethune-Cookman (35-21) was led offensively by Jorge Rodriguez, who hit a three-run homer in the second inning, and Sergio Rivera, who collected three hits, two RBIs, and stole a base. Starting pitcher Joel Core picked up the win, while Yoansell Diaz recorded the final outs to earn the save.
Notable Performances:
Next Game: The Hornets will now look to stay alive in the an elimination game against Jackson State at 9 a.m. on Friday.
