NEW ORLEANS, La. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team could not overcome a four-run eighth inning as the Bulldogs dropped the final game of the Maestri Classic, 8-5, to Northern Kentucky on Sunday afternoon at Maestri Field.
Northern Kentucky (3-4) struck first in the second inning, plating a run to take a 1-0 lead. The Norse added another in the fourth and two more in the sixth to build a 4-0 advantage.
Alabama A&M starter
Brady Baxter worked 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five.
Rynzo Crutcher followed with 2.0 innings, surrendering two runs while fanning two.
The Bulldogs (2-5) broke through in a big way in the bottom of the seventh.
After Northern Kentucky pushed its lead to 4-0, Alabama A&M responded with four runs to tie the game.
Miles Jackson sparked the inning, finishing 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI.
KJ Stanfield delivered a key two-run hit, while
Isaac Castro added an RBI knock as the Bulldogs capitalized on timely hitting to even the contest at 4-4.
Northern Kentucky answered immediately in the top of the eighth. The Norse scored four runs in the frame to regain control at 8-4, taking advantage of walks and hit-by-pitches to extend the inning.
Kameron Vandersee (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs in 1.1 innings of relief.
Alabama A&M continued to battle in the ninth.
AJ Anderson led off with a hit and later scored, and Jackson added his second hit of the day as the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit to 8-5. However, Northern Kentucky closer Jared Teke recorded the final outs to secure his second save of the season.
The Bulldogs finished with eight hits on the day.
Brycen Hammonds recorded an RBI, while Castro and Stanfield each delivered two-out RBIs in the contest. DeVante Wells anchored the defense behind the plate, recording 15 putouts.
Northern Kentucky totaled eight hits and drew seven walks. Marcus Harrison led the Norse with two hits and two RBIs, while Jackson Wang added two RBIs and a stolen base.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M will have its home opener on Wednesday against Illinois State. First pitch against the Redbirds is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the Bulldog Baseball Field.
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