PEARL, Miss. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team opened its season on Friday and nearly rallied from a five-run deficit as the Bulldogs fell, 6-4, to Texas Southern in the MLB HBCU Power Series at Trustmark Park.
The Bulldogs (0-1) trailed 6-1 entering the seventh and picked up three runs to close the gap to two runs. Alabama A&M loaded the bases in the ninth, but couldn't push across the runners.
Alabama A&M was led offensively by
Brycen Hammonds, who finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, a double and three stolen bases.
Tarris Murray added two hits and two RBI, while
Wilmer Cuevas chipped in a pair of singles.
How It Happened
Texas Southern (1-0) struck early in the top of the first inning, scoring twice on a hit-by-pitch RBI and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-0 lead. The Tigers added two more runs in the second on a bunt single by Nate Lopez and a sacrifice fly from Erwin Cabassa to extend the advantage to 4-0.
Alabama A&M got on the board in the third inning. Hammonds singled and stole second before Murray delivered an RBI single to right field, trimming the deficit to 4-1.
Texas Southern answered in the fifth inning when Lopez drove in two runs with a single to right-center, pushing the lead to 6-1.
The Bulldogs mounted their biggest rally in the seventh inning.
AJ Anderson opened the frame with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by
Miles Jackson. Hammonds followed with an RBI double to left field and advanced to third on a throwing error before Murray singled to left to plate another run, cutting the deficit to 6-4.
Alabama A&M put the tying run on base in the ninth inning after
Tervell Johnson reached on an error and Hammonds drew a walk. Murray lifted a fly ball that advanced the runner to third, and
Charles Morris worked a walk to load the bases, but the Tigers induced a groundout to end the game.
On the Mound
Rynzo Crutcher (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in three innings of work.
William Tarpley provided three solid innings out of the bullpen, allowing two runs while striking out three.
Bryce Dolce and
Terence Sales combined to keep Texas Southern off the scoreboard over the final two frames.
Texas Southern's Joshua Pena earned the win, while Jose Luccioni picked up the save.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to action in the MLB HBCU Power Series on Saturday against Jackson State. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. from Trustmark Park – home of the Mud Monsters.
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - 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).
