MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University baseball held off a late push from Mississippi Valley State to secure an 11-9 victory on Saturday at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex, clinching the series and improving to 2-0 heading into Sunday's finale.

The Hornets (22-19, 12-8 SWAC) built an early cushion with production across the first three innings. After answering a first-inning deficit, Alabama State plated two runs in the bottom half, highlighted by an RBI single from Trey Callaway and a run scored on a wild pitch to take a 2-1 lead.

Mississippi Valley briefly surged ahead with a three-run second inning, but Alabama State responded emphatically. Miguel Oropeza delivered the key swing of the frame with a three-run home run, putting the Hornets back in front 5-4.

The Hornets added to their lead in the third inning on RBI contributions from Fabian Santana and Devin Chandler, extending the advantage to 7-4.

After the Delta Devils trimmed the deficit to one in the sixth, Alabama State created separation with a decisive three-run bottom half of the inning. The rally included a run scoring on an error, a balk that brought home another, and an RBI double from Niguel Jenkins to push the lead to 10-6. The Hornets tacked on an additional insurance run in the seventh on a passed ball, making it 11-6.

Mississippi Valley mounted a final threat in the ninth, scoring three runs on a series of extra-base hits and a two-RBI single, but Alabama State turned to Zane Baltz to record the final out and secure the win.

On the mound, Jorhan LaBoy (6-4) earned the win after working 6.0 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out five. Caio Araujo provided relief with 2.2 innings, and Baltz notched his third save of the season by closing out the final out in the ninth.

Offensively, Alabama State tallied 13 hits, with Oropeza leading the way with three hits and three RBI, while multiple Hornets contributed to a balanced attack.

Alabama State will look to complete the series sweep on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.