BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State erased a five-run deficit with a six-run surge over the final two innings, capped by Devin Chandler's go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning, as the Hornets earned an 8-7 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday at Rickwood Field. The Hornets remain unbeaten in the tournament, and they will play either UAPB or Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Alabama State improved to 32-21 overall and advanced further in the winner's bracket after rallying from a 7-2 deficit entering the bottom of the seventh inning. Arkansas-Pine Bluff dropped to 24-33.
Chandler finished 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI, while Miguel Oropeza drove in four runs, highlighted by a game-changing three-run double in the seventh inning. Trey Callaway and Jackson Williams each added RBI singles for the Hornets.
The game, which began at 9:02 a.m., was suspended after three innings due to weather at 12:08 p.m. and resumed at 5:16 p.m.
Alabama State struck first in the opening inning. Chandler opened the frame by reaching on a hit-by-pitch and later scored on an RBI single from Oropeza. Williams followed with a run-scoring single to left-center field to give the Hornets a 2-0 lead.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered in the second inning when Zach Wieder lined a two-run single down the left-field line to even the score at 2-2.
The Golden Lions moved ahead in the fourth inning on Wieder's sacrifice fly, then broke the game open with a three-run sixth inning aided by a pair of Alabama State throwing errors. Wieder's bunt single led to the first run of the inning, while Zyon Hamilton added an RBI single as UAPB extended its advantage to 6-2.
Vinny Saumell pushed the lead to 7-2 with a solo home run down the right-field line in the top of the seventh inning.
The Hornets responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning.
Fabian Santana singled and Chandler followed with a base hit before Breydon Divine was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Oropeza then delivered the biggest hit of the game to that point, ripping a three-run double to center field that cut the deficit to 7-5. After Niguel Jenkins was hit by a pitch, Callaway singled to left field to score Oropeza and trim the margin to 7-6.
Alabama State completed the comeback in the eighth inning. Alex Espaillat opened the frame with a single and advanced to second on Santana's sacrifice bunt before Chandler blasted a two-run home run to left field, giving the Hornets their first lead since the opening inning at 8-7.
Camden Matthews shut the door in the ninth inning, retiring the Golden Lions in order to secure the victory.
Matthews earned the win in relief to improve to 3-0 after allowing three runs — one earned — on four hits with three strikeouts over four innings. James Peterson started for Alabama State and surrendered four earned runs on nine hits while striking out four over five innings.
Jalen Porter took the loss for Arkansas-Pine Bluff and fell to 2-3 after allowing two runs on three hits in 1.2 innings of relief. Jordan Medellin worked 5.1 innings and allowed four runs on four hits with four strikeouts, while starter Ryland Morin gave up two runs in the first inning.
Wieder paced Arkansas-Pine Bluff offensively with three RBI while Saumell went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Hamilton also collected three hits for the Golden Lions.
