HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M (13-34, 9-19 SWAC) dropped a 16-5 decision against Alabama State (29-22, 20-7 SWAC) on Thursday, May 19 in an NCAA Division I baseball game.
 
After a scoreless first inning ASU would waste no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning with three runs off three hits that included Corey King doubling to right center to allow Ian Matos and Jabronski Williams to come home for a 3-0 lead.

They would then capitalize in the top of the third inning as Chris Lewis singled to center field and May Hunter scored.

The Bulldogs would respond in the bottom of the inning as sophomore short stop Chandler Stocking (Midway, Utah) grounded out at second base and allowed graduate center fielder Damani Thomas (Zellwood, Fla.) to come home and cut the deficit to 4-1.

The Hornets would continue their barrage of runs in the top of the fourth inning with a home run each from Matos and King followed by a run from Kyler McIntosh for a 7-1 advantage. They would then capitalize in the top of the sixth inning with five runs off four hits that consisted with Matos homering to left center to bring home Williams and Christian Lopez to push the lead to 12-1

The Bulldogs would finally respond in the bottom of the inning as freshman third baseman Jalen Ford (Birmingham, Ala.) hit a sacrifice bunt to allow graduate right fielder Tim Dixon (Debary, Fla.) to score and be down by ten runs. They would add another run in the bottom of the seventh inning as graduate left fielder Nemo Wright (PG County, Md.) walked and Thomas scored on a wild pitch to close the gap to 12-3. ASU would then respond in the top of the eight inning and take their biggest lead of the evening as Williams, Matos, King and Christopher DeGuzman each added a run to push their advantage to 16-3.

AAMU would then respond in the bottom of the eight and final inning as junior catcher Dillon Roop (New Market, Ala.) singled to right center and allowed sophomore first baseman Trevor Berkemeyer (North Las Vegas, Nev.) to come home before senior designated hitter Tommy Bridges (Montgomery, Ala.) singled to right center and second baseman Tommy Easley (Acworth, Ga.) scored to close the gap. That effort would not be enough as the Hornets closed out the 16-5 decision.
 
Matos led the Hornets with a 3-of-4 day, five RBIs, two home runs and a run scored while Hunter was 2-of-2 with a pair of RBIs and four runs scored. King was 3-of-4 with four RBIs, a home run and a pair of runs scored while Lewis was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a scored run. Breon Pooler threw six innings, striking out nine and allowed two earned runs to move to 9-2.

Thomas led the Bulldogs as he was 2-for-4 with two runs scored while Bridges was 1-for-4 with an RBI and Easley had a 3-for-3 day with a run scored. Freshman pitcher Jason Marano (Miami, Fla.) threw 3.1 innings, striking out three while allowing six earned runs to fall to 1-2.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on tomorrow, Friday, May 20 for their second game against Alabama State. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at James Clemens High School.