HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Zak Rice,
Brycen Hammonds and
Jesus Riera each pounded out three hits as the Alabama A&M University baseball team opened its three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) home series on Thursday with a heartbreaking, 8-7, loss to Jackson State at the Bulldog Baseball Field.
Alabama A&M (13-37 overall, 9-19 SWAC) nearly rallied from two runs down in the bottom of the ninth but could not get a timely hit to tie the game as Jackson State (32-18, 15-12) took the opening game of the series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After two scoreless innings, Jackson State broke into the scoring column with two runs in the third and added a run in the fourth for a 3-0 lead.
Alabama A&M answered with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game.
Rice opened the frame with a base hit to left and advanced to third on a double by Riera.
Blake Martin followed and reached on a fielder's choice as Rice was out at third.
Mekhi Lloyd plated Riera on a single through the right side. After a stolen base by Lloyd,
Chevalier Dorris singled through the left side as Martin came across to score. Lloyd tied the game at 3 when he scored as Dorris was picked off trying to steal second.
The Tigers broke the tie in the sixth with a run, but again the Bulldogs responded with one run in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at 4.
JSU used a three-run eighth inning to grab a 7-4 advantage.
Alabama A&M closed the gap to 7-6 with two runs in the bottom of the frame.
With one down, Dorris reached on a bunt single and advanced to second when
Dre Amaral was hit by a pitch. Hammonds delivered a key single to left center as Dorris scored and
Alex Diaz plated Amaral with a ground out to the second baseman.
The Tigers got a run in the top of the ninth, pushing the lead to 8-6 and setting the stage for a wild finish.
In the bottom of the ninth, Rice opened the inning with a double to left center and scored on a Riera base hit to left. Martin followed with a double down the line in left. However, Lloyd flied out to short left and Riera was out trying to score at the plate. Dorris was hit by a pitch and Amaral ended the game with a flyout to right.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with seven runs on 15 hits, with one error and stranded 12 on base
- Brycen Hammonds, Zak Rice and Jesus Riera each collected three hits
- Chevalier Dorris went 2-for-3, with one run and one RBI
- Anthony Mateo started, going seven innings, and giving up four runs on 11 hits, with a season-high eight strikeouts
- Dustin Hernandez (1-4) and Charlie Lazo pitched in relief
- Jackson State finished with eight runs on 15 hits, committed one error and left 10 on base
- Jordan McCladdie went 1-for-4, but collected three RBI
- Lenny Montesano and Arjun Huerta each finished with three hits
- Shemar Harris added two hits and scored twice
- Garrett VanDeventer surrendered four runs on nine hits, walked three and fanned three in 5.0 innings
- Christian Womble (4-2) and Isaiah Williams (first save) worked in relief
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to action with Game 2 of the series on Friday at the Bulldog Baseball Field against Jackson State. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. as the Bulldogs will honor seven seniors prior to the start of the game.
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