JACKSON, Miss. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team fell behind by 10 runs through two innings but used a six-run third and a seven-run sixth to pull past Jackson State for a 22-17 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) win on Saturday afternoon at Braddy Field.
The 22 runs by Alabama A&M was the most the program had since a 21-6 victory over Mississippi Valley State on April 17, 2021.
The Bulldogs took advantage of 13 walks and eight hit batters in the come-from-behind victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jackson State (22-11 overall, 7-6 SWAC) jumped out to a 4-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning, scoring four runs on three hits.
Alabama A&M (6-27, 4-10) took advantage of three walks in the top of the second, plating a pair of runs.
Zak Rice drew a walk to begin the frame and advanced to third on a
Jesus Riera double down the line in left.
Miles Jackson and
Blake Martin drew back-to-back walks, as Rice scored. With one down,
Chevalier Dorris brought Riera across with a sacrifice fly to left as AAMU trimmed the deficit to 4-2.
The Tigers responded with eight runs in the bottom of the frame, stretching the lead to 12-2.
But Alabama A&M refused to go away quietly, scoring six runs on just two hits and took advantage of an error to cut the deficit to 12-8.
JSU plated one run in the bottom of the third and AAMU answered with one in the top of the fourth as the Tigers held a 13-9 lead.
In the fifth,
Tristan Curless homered to cap a three-run inning as the Bulldogs trimmed the margin to 13-12.
Back came Jackson State, plating three runs on two hits in the bottom of the inning, extending the advantage to 16-12.
From the sixth inning on, Alabama A&M outscored Jackson State, 10-1, capped by a seven-run sixth, which propelled the Bulldogs to a 19-16 lead.
Dorris opened the sixth with a single through the right side and advanced to second on a ground out. After a walk to Hammonds, Curless singled to center and moved all the way to third as Dorris and Hammonds scored on the play. Rice followed with a base hit through the left side as Curless scored.
After a pitching change, Riera singled through the left side and Jackson was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Martin,
Jared Tribett and Dorris were hit by pitches, plating three more runs. After another pitching change,
Dre Amaral reached on a fielder's choice as Martin was out at home. However, Hammonds drew his second walk of the frame, scoring Tribett to cap a big inning for the Bulldogs.
Jackson State pulled to within 20-17, with a run in the bottom of the seventh but couldn't get any closer.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with 22 runs on 11 hits and stranded 12 on base
- Tristan Curless went 3-for-6, with two homers, four runs scored and four RBI
- Jesus Riera went 3-for-5, with three runs scored and one double
- Miles Jackson was 1-for-4, with three runs driven in and three runs scored
- Blake Martin went 2-for-5, with four RBI, one double and one run scored
- Ryan Jones started, giving up 12 runs on 11 hits and walked three in 1.0 innings
- Evan Hurlburt, Kobe Stokes (4-0) and Tristan Curless pitched in relief
- Jackson State finished with 17 runs on 17 hits, committed five errors and left 10 on base
- Lenny Montesano went 2-for-4, with four RBI and two runs scored
- Myles White went 1-for-5, with four runs driven in and one run scored
- Isaiah Williams surrendered eight runs (five earned) on three hits, walked five and struck out three in 2.2 innings
- Miles Thomas, Shemar Harris, Brandon Haston, Darrell Hardrick Jr. (0-1) and Stevins Spurgeon worked in relief
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M concludes its three-game SWAC series with Jackson State on Sunday at Braddy Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).
