Bulldogs outlast Lions 9-7

Box Score

NORMAL – Austin Hulsey homered to back a strong start by Dakota Smith and lead Alabama A&M to a 9-7 victory over the University of North Alabama, on Tuesday afternoon at Bulldog Field.

The Bulldogs would jump on the board first as designated hitter Cornelius Woods doubled down the right field line. Recently named SWAC Player of the Week, Jordan Friend, singled advancing Woods to third. The Maroon & White's catcher, Dustin Dhanani, would hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Woods.

Leading off in the bottom of the third inning Brandon Crutcher, singled up the middle. After stealing second, a wild pitch by the Lions pitcher allowed Crutcher to advance to third, and then he came home on an RBI single by Patrick Dodson.

Hulsey then homered over the right field wall for his third long ball of the season scoring Dodson.

Andrew Utterback approached the plate and was walked with Woods following with a single to advance Utterback, to third. An RBI single by Ramon Nelson scored Utterback. The next batter, Dhanani, singled for a run batted in bringing in Woods. Crutcher's RBI single scored Nelson extending the Bulldogs led 7-0 after three innings.

UNA answered with three runs in the fourth, a pair in the fifth, and one in the sixth to cut the Bulldogs lead within two.

AAMU's Smith, the 6-2 senior right-hander, allowed just one unearned run in 3.2 innings, scattering five hits with only one for extra bases with no strikeouts and a walk to earn his second victory of the season.

In the top of the eighth, UNA scored a run on a sacrifice fly and had the tying run at second third base with two outs, but Ryan Ahrens got Carpenter to fly out to end the Lions run.

Devin Smith pitched the final inning, allowing no run on zero hits, to earn his second save.

UNA starter Kyle Stephenson allowed nine hits in two innings and suffered the loss.

A&M collected 15 hits and nine RBI's for their 15^th occasion this season with double digit hits.

Next up, Alabama A&M will venture to south Alabama to challenge Troy University on Wednesday, April 9. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

Print Friendly Version