PEARL, Miss. | Anthony Mateo pitched five-plus strong innings as the Alabama A&M University baseball team took a six-run lead into the bottom of the eighth inning but could not hold on as Grambling State picked up a 9-7 victory to close out play at the MLB HBCU Power Series on Sunday at Trustmark Park.
Mateo was sharp in his season-opening debut as he surrendered three runs (two earned) on six hits, with four walks and two strikeouts in 5.1 innings. The offense also provided a spark after being held to three hits on Saturday night against Jackson State.
Bryce Hammonds,
Tarris Murray,
Zak Rice and
Devante Wells each collected two hits, with Murray and
AJ Anderson driving in a pair.
How It Happened
After a scoreless first, Alabama A&M (0-3) struck first in the top of the second.
Charles Morris and
KJ Stanfield worked walks before Rice ripped a double to right center to plate the game's first run. A wild pitch allowed Stanfield to score and Rice to advance, and Anderson grounded out to bring home another run as the Bulldogs grabbed a 3-0 lead.
The momentum continued in the third. Hammonds singled to set the table for Murray, who launched a two-run homer to right center, extending the lead to 5-0.
Alabama A&M added another run in the fifth when Hammonds singled, stole second, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Morris to make it 6-0.
Grambling State began chipping away in the fifth and sixth, capitalizing on a hit-by-pitch and an error to close the gap to 6-3.
In the eighth, the Bulldogs pushed across what proved to be their final run. Rice singled and later scored on an error by the third baseman, giving Alabama A&M a 7-3 cushion heading to the bottom half of the inning.
The Tigers responded with a decisive rally. Consecutive walks and singles loaded the bases before a two-run single cut the deficit to 7-5. A two-run triple down the right-field line tied the game, and a run-scoring single put Grambling ahead. A double later in the inning capped the six-run frame and gave the Tigers a 9-7 lead.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to action on Tuesday as the Bulldogs visit Middle Tennessee State. First pitch against the Blue Raiders is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Reese Smith Jr. Field in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
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).
