COOKEVILLE, Tenn. | Tervell Johnson collected three hits and drove in four runs as the Alabama A&M University baseball team held off a late rally to edge Illinois-Chicago, 5-4, on Sunday to close out play in the Holiday Inn Classic at Bush Stadium.
 
Alabama A&M (3-8) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Johnson reached on an infield single to plate Miles Jackson, who opened the game by being hit by a pitch.
 
Illinois-Chicago (4-6) responded in the bottom of the frame with back-to-back home runs by Lucas Smith and Will Smoot.
 
The Flames carried a 2-1 lead into the third before the Bulldogs exploded for three runs on four hits to grab a 4-2 advantage.
 
With one out in the inning, Jackson reached on an infield single and moved to third when Brycen Hammonds singled through the right side. AJ Anderson, who collected two hits on the day, doubled down the right-field line to plate Jackson. Johnson followed with a single to left, scoring Hammonds and Anderson.
 
The Flames closed the gap to 4-3 with a run in the fourth, but AAMU answered in the fifth with one run to push the lead to 5-3.
 
Illinois-Chicago put runners on the corners with one out in the ninth and managed just one run as Alabama A&M held off the late rally to secure the victory.
 
Brady Baxter (1-1) started on the mound for the Bulldogs and surrendered three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts over five innings. Rynzo Crutcher and Nick Espinola worked in relief and paved the way for William Tarpley, who earned his first save with one strikeout in the ninth inning.
 
Mason Buss (1-1) took the loss for the Flames after allowing four runs on five hits with one walk and one strikeout in 2.1 innings. Jacob Jakubowski, Kendall Lyons and Zack Millsap pitched in relief.
 
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns home Tuesday as the Bulldogs play host to Stillman College. First pitch against the Tigers is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Bulldog Baseball Field.
 
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).
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