HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Tristan Curless registered three hits, including a solo home run, as the Alabama A&M University baseball team opened its three-game series on Friday with an 11-9 loss to Butler at Bulldog Field.
Alabama A&M (1-4) jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one inning, but Butler (1-2) used the long ball, belting five homer runs. AAMU trailed 11-6 entering the bottom of the eighth, before plating three runs as the rally fell just short.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless top of the first inning, Alabama A&M struck for five runs on just one hit and took advantage of an error to grab a 5-0 lead.
However, Butler chipped away at the deficit Evan Parks and Jack Moroknek smacked homers, closing the gap to 5-2 in the second inning.
Butler grabbed a 6-5 lead with four runs in the third and pushed the advantage to 7-5 after a Carter Dorighi solo shot in the fourth.
Alabama A&M cut the deficit to 7-6 on a solo homer by Curless in the fifth, but a grand slam by Xavier Carter in the eighth gave Butler an 11-6 lead.
AAMU closed the gap to 11-9, with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the frame.
With one down,
Brycen Hammonds doubled off the wall in center and with two outs,
Jared Tribett was hit by a pitch.
Zak Rice followed with a base hit through the left side as Hammonds scored. Curless continued the inning as he singled to right center as
Mekhi Lloyd, who pinch ran for Tribett, scored. After a pitching change,
Blake Martin singled through the left side as Rice scored. However,
Jesus Rivera struck out swinging to end the inning.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with nine runs on 11 hits, committed one error and stranded10 on base
- Tristan Curless went 3-for-5, with three RBI and two runs scored
- Brycen Hammonds went 2-for-5, with a pair of runs scored and one RBI
- Nick Anaya (0-1) started for AAMU, pitching 4.1 innings as he surrendered seven runs on nine hits, with six strikeouts and four walks
- Evan Hurlburt gave up four runs on five hits, with five strikeouts in 4.2 innings of relief.
- Butler finished with 11 runs on 14 hits, had one error and left 11 on base
- Xavier Carter went 2-for-4, with four RBI and two runs scored
- Jack Moroknek went 3-for-5, with three runs driven in and two runs scored
- Justin Hornschemeier lasted just 0.2 of an inning, giving up five unearned runs on one hit, with two walks and hit four batters
- Nick Miketinac (1-0) earned the win in pitching 4.1 innings of relief
- Ben Whiteside, Gage Vota and Cole Graverson also worked in relief
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M continues its three-game series with Butler on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. from Bulldog Field.
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