MEMPHIS, Tenn. | Xavier O'Neal belted a solo homer and went 2-for-3 as the Alabama A&M University baseball team fell, 17-3 in seven innings, to Memphis at the FedEx Park Avron Fogelman Field on Tuesday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Memphis (5-2) scored three runs on two hits in the bottom of the first inning, jumping out to a 3-0 lead.
Alabama A&M (2-6) trimmed the deficit to 3-1 in the top of the second as O'Neal belted his first homer of the season.
The Tigers added a run in the bottom of the second and exploded for six runs on two hits in the third for a 10-1 lead.
The Bulldogs got two runs back in the fourth.
With one down, O'Neal singled to left and stole second.
Christian Soto walked and
Elvis Victoriano reached on a fielder's choice as O'Neal moved to third and Soto was out at second. O'Neal scored on a wild pitch and Victoriano scored when
Dre Amaral reached on an error as AAMU closed the gap to 10-3.
Memphis answered in the bottom half of the frame, scoring three runs and stretching the advantage to 13-3.
The Tigers put the game out of reach with four more runs in the fifth, pushing the lead to 17-3.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with three runs on seven hits, committed one error and stranded nine on base
- Xavier O'Neal and KJ Stanfield each went 2-for-4
- Charlie Lazo (0-1) pitched two innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits, with two strikeouts and one walk
- Nick Espinola, Raymond Clark, Jordan Nolley, Bryce Dolce, Vincent Latimer and Killian McLaughlin worked in relief
- Memphis finished with 17 runs on 12 hits, had one error and left seven on base
- James Smith IV went 2-for-2, while Daniel Perez was 2-for-3
- Will Vasseur also collected two hits
- Charlie Smith (1-0) surrendered three runs (two earned) on four hits, fanned two and walked one in 3.2 innings
- Malik Harris and Will Howell worked out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M begins a three-game series with Georgia State on Friday, with the opener set for 5 p.m. (central time) from the GSU Baseball Complex. Game 2 of the series starts at 1 p.m. (central time) on Saturday, with the finale scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday.
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).
