VERO BEACH, Fla. | Alabama State University baseball used timely hitting and a strong bullpen effort to secure a 2-1 victory over Texas Southern University on Sunday morning, closing out the Andre Dawson Classic at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex.
The Hornets (5-2) collected nine hits and held Texas Southern to one run, earning the narrow win behind clutch RBI from Adrien Mendoza and Alex Espaillat.
Texas Southern (3-2) struck first in the second inning when Miguel Morales launched a solo home run to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Alabama State answered in the fourth. Jackson Williams singled and later scored on Mendoza's RBI single to center, tying the game at 1-1.
The Hornets took the lead for good in the sixth inning. Williams doubled to open the frame and came home when Espaillat ripped an RBI double down the line, putting Alabama State ahead 2-1.
Hornets' bullpen seals the win
Starter Trey Power worked 5.0 innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out one. He was relieved by Calebm Sanders (1-0), who earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings. Camden Matthews recorded his first save of the season, tossing the final 2.1 innings and striking out three while allowing just one hit.
Texas Southern starter Jay Mays (0-1) took the loss despite a strong outing, surrendering two runs on seven hits with 10 strikeouts over seven innings.
Leading hitters
Alabama State was paced by Williams, who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Espaillat finished 2-for-3 with a double and the game-winning RBI, while Mendoza added an RBI single. D'Andre Chandler also contributed two hits.
Texas Southern's offense was led by Morales, who homered and drove in the Tigers' lone run. Zane Pace added two hits, and Brandon Robinson went 3-for-3.
By the numbers
-
Runs: Alabama State 2, Texas Southern 1
-
Hits: Alabama State 9, Texas Southern 8
-
Errors: Alabama State 1, Texas Southern 0
-
LOB: Alabama State 8, Texas Southern 10
Alabama State returns to action next week as the Hornets on UAB on Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala.
