Box Score ITTA BENA, Miss. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team used a six-run eighth inning as the Bulldogs ended a four-game losing streak with an 11-9 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory over Mississippi Valley State on Sunday afternoon at Magnolia Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mississippi Valley State (11-32 overall, 3-24 SWAC) opened the scoring with one run in the second inning to grab a 1-0 lead.
However, Alabama A&M (13-36, 9-18) responded with three runs on four hits, all coming with two outs.
With two outs in the inning,
Tristan Curless singled to right and advanced to second on a
Jared Tribett base hit to left.
Jesus Riera followed and singled to left as Curless and Tribett scored.
Miles Jackson brough Riera across on a single to left as the Bulldogs took a 3-1 advantage.
The Delta Devils got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, closing the gap to 3-2.
Mississippi Valley State exploded for six runs on seven hits in the sixth to grab an 8-3 lead.
Back came AAMU, plating two runs in the top half of the seventh.
Mekhi Lloyd opened the frame by being hit by a pitch and advanced to second when
Angel Rivera singled to center.
Dre Amaral was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs.
Brycen Hammonds brought Lloyd across on a sacrifice fly to center and Rivera scored on a Curless double to right as the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit to 8-5.
The Delta Devils added a run in the bottom of the inning, stretching the advantage to 9-5.
AAMU used a six-run eighth to grab the lead.
Alex Diax began the inning with a single to right and advanced 90 feet to second on a
Chevalier Dorris base hit to left. Lloyd reached on an infield hit to load the bases. Rivera drew a walk as Diaz scored and Amaral plated Dorris and Lloyd with a single to center. Rivera scored the tying run when Tribett reached on a fielder's choice. With two down, Diaz, batting for the second time in the frame, singled to right, scoring Amaral and Curless, who was intentionally walked, as the Bulldogs took an 11-9 lead.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with 11 runs on 14 hits, committed two errors and stranded 10 on base
- Tristan Curless went 4-for-4, with one walk, two runs scored and one RBI
- Alex Diaz went 2-for-3, with two RBI and one run scored
- Jesus Riera and Dre Amaral also drove in two runs
- Gabe Nicholson gave up seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and fanned a season-high seven batters in 5.2 innings to take the loss
- Kobe Stokes, Trey Scott and Tristan Curless (2-0) pitched in relief
- Mississippi Valley State finished with nine runs on 15 hits, had three errors and left eight on base
- Ty Washington went 2-for-4, with three runs scored
- Benny Hernandez went 2-for-5, with two RBI and one run scored
- Elias Pena went 3-for-5, with two RBI and one run scored
- Armando Sierra surrendered three runs (one earned) on six hits, struck out three and walked one in 6.0 innings
- Isaiah Valenduela, Dylan Whitfield and Brayden Eftink worked in relief
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to action for its final mid-week game on Tuesday as the Bulldogs visit Murray State. First pitch against the Racers is scheduled for 4 p.m. from Johnny Reagan Field and streamed on ESPN+.
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