MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team jumped out to an early lead, but could not hold it, falling 11-1 in seven innings to rival Alabama State during Friday's Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opener at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
Alabama A&M (8-21 overall, 2-8 SWAC) struck for one run in the top of the first inning as Trey Rutledge opened the game with a triple to right center and scored on an RBI single to center by Kylan Duncan as the Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead.
 
However, Alabama State, which got two home runs each from Juan Cruz and Kelvin Agosto during the series opener, tied the game at 1 with one run in the bottom of the frame and grabbed a 2-1 advantage with one run in the third.
 
The Hornets (14-17, 7-3) extended their lead to 6-1 with four runs in the fourth, highlighted by an Agosto three-run homer to left.
 
ASU plated two more runs in the fifth and sealed the game with three runs in the bottom of the seventh.
 
GAME NOTES

• Alabama A&M finished with one run on six hits and left six on base
• Trey Rutledge went 2-for-4, with one run scored
• Kylan Duncan went 2-for-3
• Jaiden Proper (2-3) took the loss, giving up eight runs on 11 hits, with three walks and one strikeout in six innings
• Killian McLaughlin pitched in relief
• Alabama State finished with 11 runs on 12 hits and stranded six on base
• Juan Cruz was 3-for-4, with two RBI and two runs scored
• Kelvin Agosto went 3-for-4, with eight RBI and two runs scored
• Jorhan Laboy (4-2) earned a complete-game victory, surrender just one run on six hits, fanning four and walking a pair

 
UP NEXT  
Alabama A&M completes its three-game SWAC series on Saturday with a doubleheader against Alabama State. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. from the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
 
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