ATLANTA, Ga. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team opened a three-game series against Georgia State on Friday as the Bulldogs fell behind early, before taking the lead, but could not hold on as the Panthers picked up a 17-9 victory at the GSU Baseball Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alabama A&M (2-7) fell behind 4-0 in the first inning but answered in the top half of the second, plating six runs on just two hits, grabbing a 6-4 advantage.
Desmore Joseph opened the inning by being hit by a pitch and
Miles Jackson and
Elvis Victoriano drew back-to-back walks to load the bases.
Dre Amaral earned a base on balls, plating Joseph from third. After a pitching change,
Trey Rutledge walked as Jackson scored.
Isaac Castro followed with a double to left as Victoriano scored and Amaral was out at the plate.
Angel Rivera was hit by a pitch and
KJ Stanfield doubled to left center as Rutledge and Castro scored. Rivera came across when Joseph reached on an error, giving the Bulldogs a two-run lead.
However, the Bulldogs surrendered a run in the bottom of the frame and the Panthers exploded for six runs on five hits in the fourth in taking a 11-6 advantage.
Georgia State (7-2) continued to add to the lead, scoring two more runs in the fifth, pushing the margin to 13-6.
Alabama A&M responded with two runs in the top of the sixth, cutting the deficit to 13-8.
Rutledge began the frame with a walk and advanced to second on an infield hit by
Charles Morris. Rivera followed with a double down the left field line as Rutledge scored and Morris came across when Stanfield grounded out to the first baseman.
Back came the Panthers, answering with three runs in the bottom of the inning and one more in the seventh for a 17-8 lead.
The Bulldogs tacked on one run in the top of the ninth as
Miles Jackson walked to open the inning and came around to score on a bases-loaded walk to Morris.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with nine runs on six hits, with one error and stranded 13 on base
- Charlie Morris went 2-for-5, with one run scored
- KJ Stanfield collected a team-high three hits
- Jaiden Proper surrendered five runs (four earned) on six hits, walked five and fanned five in three innings
- Raymond Clark (1-2), Charlie Lazo, Killian McLaughlin and Edgar Rodriguez pitched in relief
- Georgia State finished with 17 runs on 16 hits, committed four errors and left 16 on base
- Carter Bailey went 4-for-6, with two runs scored and one RBI
- Cole Griffith scored three times, while going 3-for-4 at the plate
- Kaleb Freeman, Michael Maginnis and Jesse Donohoe each collected two hits
- Sam Schofield lasted just three batters and left to an injury, striking out one and giving up one hit in 0.2 of an inning
- Dylan Matela, Brooks Gorman, Jacob Crews, Brian Crooms, Brantley Upshaw and Ryan Lamar worked out of the bullpen
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M continues its three-game series with Georgia State on Saturday as first pitch is set for 1 p.m. (central time) from the GSU Baseball Complex.
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