MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Alabama State University baseball team used a timely third-inning rally and late pitching to hold off Grambling State University for a 5–4 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory Saturday at Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. he Hornets escaped two bases-loaded threats to cling to a one-rim ead to secure the win.

Alabama State (9-8, 1-1 SWAC) managed just five hits but capitalized on patience at the plate, drawing eight walks and taking advantage of a key defensive miscue by Grambling.

Key Moments

Grambling struck first in the second inning when Daniel Soukup II singled through the right side to score Martavius Thomas for a 1–0 lead.

The Hornets answered in the bottom of the third with the decisive rally. After loading the bases with one out, Trey Callaway delivered the big swing of the game, ripping a triple to center field. A throwing error by the Grambling center fielder allowed the play to clear the bases as Miguel Oropeza, Alex Espaillat, and Devin Chandler all scored, giving Alabama State a 4–1 advantage.

Grambling chipped away, scoring twice in the fourth and once in the fifth to tie the game at 4–4.

Alabama State regained the lead in the sixth inning when Skywalker Mann, pinch-hitting, lined a single through the right side to score Alex Espaillat for the go-ahead run and a 5–4 lead.

Escaping Trouble

The Hornets' bullpen preserved the lead despite heavy pressure from the Tigers' offense, which collected 12 hits in the game.

• In the seventh inning, Grambling loaded the bases with one out, but the Alabama State defense recorded a strikeout before retiring the next batter to escape the jam.

• In the eighth inning, Grambling again loaded the bases, but the Hornets induced a fly-out and a strikeout to keep the Tigers off the board.

Pitching

Alabama State used four pitchers in the victory.

• Esaid Peña – 4.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 K

• Jacob Loeffler – 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 K

• Zane Baltz (W, 1-0) – 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R

• James Peterson (Sv, 2) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 K

Peterson closed the game by retiring the final two outs in the ninth after Grambling placed two runners aboard.

Alabama State Offensive Leaders

• Alex Espaillat: 2-for-5, 2 runs

• Trey Callaway: 1-for-1, triple, 3 RBI, run scored

• Skywalker Mann: 1-for-2, RBI

• Breydon Divine: 1-for-3

Despite being out-hit 12–5, Alabama State stranded 16 Grambling runners and made the most of its scoring opportunities to secure the conference win.

The two teams close out the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.