HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M (1-7, 1-2 SWAC) surrendered a pair of big innings and could not get the offense going as they dropped the rubber game of a three-game set to Alcorn State (5-5, 5-4 SWAC) 12-0 in an NCAA Division I baseball game on Sunday, March 21.
The Braves would push across a run in the first following a walk and a hit by pitch before back-to-back singles with runners on second and third in the second inning gave them an early 3-0 lead. From there, Alcorn would limit A&M to just three hits the rest of the way while continuing to produce at the plate.
It would be a five run fourth inning that would highlight that performance as ASU put together three singles before Hunter Wilson sent a two-run shot over the right field fence to extend to an 8-0 lead. They would then be held hitless the next two innings before finding their stroke in the top of the seventh.
That frame would see the Braves score four runs, including two on a double by Khalil Smith, to make it 12-0 and put themselves in position to end things early per SWAC regulations. Up by at least eight runs, the Bulldogs needed to score five runs to move past the seventh inning but were held to a 1-2-3 outing to close out things out.
Sophomore shortstop
Trevor Berkemeyer (North Las Vegas, Nev.) led Alabama A&M with a 2-for-3 day while senior outfielder
Pierre Brewton (Madison, Ala.) laced a double as part of a 1-for-3 effort. Junior pitcher
Peyton Baker (Acworth, Ga.) started and went four innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) and struck out a pair to suffer the loss and fall to 0-2.
Smith delivered a 3-for-4 day that included five RBIs, a pair of runs and a walk to lead Alcorn State while Tristin Garcia was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run. Wilson's blast was his lone hit in four at bats but helped fuel a three RBI day to round out the top offensive performances. On the mound there would be only one performance, that of Kobe Head who threw a complete game while scattering five hits and striking five to pick up the shutout victory.
The Bulldogs are next in action when they head to Jackson, Mississippi for a three-game series with Jackson State from March 26-28. The opening game will be under the lights at 6 p.m. with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday and a noon start on Sunday.
