MONTGOMERY, Ala. – An eight-run first inning was not enough for the Wildcats as they dropped a heartbreaker to Alabama State, 14-13, Saturday night in Montgomery, Ala.
 


The Wildcats (20-17, 11-4 SWAC) looked unstoppable in the top of the first, plating eight runs on seven hits in the game's first frame. Luis Tuero and Hylan Hall put two runners on early on a single and walk, respectively. Tuero became the game's first run after crossing the plate on a Boris Pena RBI single.

A batter later, Robert Moya scored Hall on an RBI knock. A dropped bly ball allowed Irvin Escobar to reach while Hylan Hall scored to make it 3-0 with only one away. 

The barrage continued as Garrett Chun dropped a bunt single down the third base line to load the bases for Jeremy Garcia. The shortstop dumped a ball into center field, scoring a pair. 

Tuero, batting for the second time in the inning, recorded his second hit of the first inning to score Chun. Jason Hodges capped off the monstrous inning with an RBI single that allowed Tuero and Garcia to score after a fielding error to make it 8-0, B-CU.

Alabama State (26-14 13-3 SWAC) began chipping away in the bottom of the first, plating two on an RBI double and a wild pitch. 

The bottom of the second ended in dramatic fashion as the Wildcats turned a rare triple play. Tuero picked off a liner up the middle, tagged second for the force out, and threw to third to force out the runner who did not tag up on the play. 

The Hornets did serious damage in the bottom of the fifth, taking the lead with seven runs including two RBI singles, pair of bases-loaded walks, and a wild pitch.

The Wildcats battled back to take the lead in the sixth after Hall tripled to score Tuero and came around to score on a wild pitch.

The B-CU lead did not last long as Alabama State took the lead once again a half-inning later on an RBI single that scored two to make it 10-9.

The Wildcats again re-took the lead in the eighth on an Escobar double that scored two.

Alabama State continued the back-and-forth, scoring three in the bottom of the eighth to take a 14-12 lead.

The Wildcats attempted one final charge in the bottom of the ninth as Tuero brought Garcia in to score on a single, but that was all as they fell, 14-13.

Pablo Torres made the start. He tossed four innings, allowing five runs, all earned, on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Derrius York took over to start the fifth, allowing four runs, two earned, on one hit with two walks. He did not record an out.

Joan Gonzalez was saddled with the loss. He allowed four runs in four innings on seven hits with a walk and four punchouts. 

• Only one Wildcat did not reach base safely in the first inning. 
• Irvin Escobar finished the night with three RBI.
• Luis Tuero and Jeremy Garcia enjoyed two-RBI evenings.
• Tuero finished the night 4-6 with three hits. 
• Eight Wildcats recorded hits in the game.

The Wildcats will try to salvage a win to close out the series Sunday at 2 p.m.

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