MADISON, Ala. – Alabama State’s season came to an end with a 3-2 loss to Alcorn State in their second game of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship Tournament Thursday afternoon.
Alabama State (23-19) got on the board in the first inning when Santiago Garcia singled to left to score Chris Lewis, who had doubled to lead off the inning.
The two teams took part in a pitcher’s duel over the next three innings, neither side giving up a run until Alcorn State (7-19) got on the board in the fifth after scoring twice, with both scores being unearned.
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Alabama State responded to tie the ball game at 2-2 in the six, following a Garcia home run into the left-center bullpen, however, found themselves trailing by a run in the next inning on an RBI single from the Braves, which would prove to be the difference in the game.
Chris Lewis led the Hornets from the plate, going 3-for-4 on the day and scoring a run, while Garcia and Dale Francis each recorded two hits, with Garcia earning the two RBI.
Osvaldo Mendez (2-3) suffered the loss for Alabama State, pitching the first 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on just two hits and striking out six batters. Ryan Velazquez came out of the bullpen for relief to work 1.2 innings and gave up two hits and a run, while Payton Harris worked the remaining 3.0 innings and allowed two hits and struck out three.
Courtesy: Alabama State Athletics