MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama State outlasted Bethune-Cookman 14-11 in a high-scoring series finale on Sunday afternoon at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. The two teams combined for 23 hits, but the Hornets' five home runs proved to be the difference in the game.
Bethune-Cookman (35-17, 21-6) opened the scoring in the second inning. After Maikol Lucena worked a leadoff walk and Erick Almonte doubled down the left field line, Jeter Polledo lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats added another run in the third when Andrey Martinez launched a solo home run to left field to extend the advantage to 2-0.
Alabama State (27-20, 17-10) answered in the bottom half of the third. Breydon Divine delivered an RBI single before Miguel Oropeza followed with an RBI double to tie the game at 2-2.
Bethune-Cookman regained the lead in the fourth inning. Lucena doubled to begin the frame before Almonte lined an RBI single to left field. Later in the inning, Almonte stole third and scored on a throwing error to push the Wildcats ahead 4-2.
The teams traded runs over the next two innings. Martinez connected on his second solo home run of the day in the fifth to give B-CU a 5-3 lead before Oropeza answered with a two-run homer in the bottom half of the inning to even the score once again.
The Wildcats reclaimed the lead in the sixth inning with a three-run frame. Jorge Rodriguez drove in a run with a single to center field before Sergio Rivera brought home another run on a fielder's choice. Rivera later stole home to extend the lead to 8-5.
Alabama State responded with its biggest inning of the game in the bottom of the sixth. After loading the bases, Fabian Santana drove in a run with a sacrifice fly before Devin Chandler blasted a three-run home run down the left field line to give the Hornets a 9-8 advantage.
The Hornets continued to add on in the seventh with back-to-back solo home runs from Niguel Jenkins and Trey Callaway to make it 11-8.
Alabama State added three more runs in the eighth inning, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Quentin Jenkins, extending the lead to 14-8.
Bethune-Cookman attempted to rally in the ninth. Jose Fernandez singled and Erick Almonte walked before Jeter Polledo launched a three-run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 14-11. The comeback attempt ended there, however, as Alabama State recorded the final out to secure the victory.
Caio Araujo earned the win in relief for the Hornets, while Bryon Rincones was charged with the loss for the Wildcats.
- B-CU out-hit the Hornets 12-11.
- Jeter Polledo led the Wildcats with four RBI.
- Andrey Martinez recorded his first two-homer game of the season.
- Bama State's five home runs were the most they have hit in a single game this season.
- Sergio Rivera managed three stolen bases, tied for his season-high.
- Erick Almonte reached on all four plate appearances, including a double.
B-CU is scheduled to play at UCF Tuesday at 6 p.m. EST.
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--#HailWildcats--
