MACON, Ga. | Alabama State University baseball suffered a 14-4 loss to Mercer University on Tuesday.
Jaxon Baptist (1-5) got the ball to start for Alabama State (20-19) and took the loss. Caio Araujo was a bright spot for the Hornets, coming out of the bullpen and throwing 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.
Niguel Jenkins led the Hornets with three hits, including a double and two RBI.Devin Chandler went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs. Breydon Divine also helped out for Alabama State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Miguel Oropeza came across to score the lone run of the inning for Alabama State and get them on the board.
The Bears then rallied to score eight runs and take an 8-1 lead before the Hornets got back on the board in the third. Alabama State managed to push across two runs in the inning, which tightened the Bears' lead to 8-3.
Mercer expanded their lead to 12-3 before the Alabama State offense got back to work, reducing that lead to 12-4 in the fifth. The Hornets were unable to get any closer, as Mercer added two runs to their tally on the way to a 14-4 final.
GAME NOTES
» Jenkins led the Hornets, picking up three base knocks in the ballgame.
» Alabama State's power output was led by Chandler, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 46 Mercer hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out seven.
» Chandler led the Hornets at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double, a home run and two RBI.
» Mercer was led offensively by senior Titan Kamaka, who went 2 for 4 with a home run and five RBI.
» Junior Jackson Gaspard led the Bears pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.
Alabama State begins a three-game set against Mississippi Valley State on Friday at 6 p.m.
