Alabama A&M Athletics

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team used a five-run first inning to jump out to a big lead, but Jacksonville State responded with eight runs in the fourth and didn't look back in a 15-11 victory on Tuesday night at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
 
Alabama A&M (8-31) exploded for five runs on five hits, while taking advantage of two errors in the top half of the first inning.
 
Miles Jackson began the game by being hit by a pitch and advanced to third when Tarris Murray ripped a one-out single through the right side. Jackson scored on a throwing error, which allowed Murray to advance to second. Zak Rice doubled to score Murray and he scored when Isaac Castro singled to left. With two down, Colin Mason reached on an error as Castro scored. AJ Anderson followed with a base hit to left and Mason came around to score on a wild pitch, giving AAMU the 5-0 lead.
 
Jacksonville State (30-8) answered in the bottom of the second inning as the Gamecocks struck for four runs on three hits to close the gap to 5-4.
 
The Gamecocks loaded the bases in the third and came away with just one run, tying the game at 5.
 
Jacksonville State broke the tie in the fourth and erupted for eight runs to grab the 13-5 lead.
 
Alabama A&M got a run back in the sixth as Keilon Parnell drove in Mason with an RBI single through the right side, cutting the deficit to 13-6.
 
Back came the Gamecocks in the bottom of the inning with two more runs to stretch the advantage to 15-6.
 
The Bulldogs continued to battle from behind and scored two runs in the seventh, including a solo homer by Brycen Hammonds to close the gap to 15-8.
 
Alabama A&M nearly rallied in the ninth, loading the bases as KJ Stanfield plated two runs with a pinch hit single and Parnell drew a bases-loaded walk to bring across Devante Wells.
 
Rice, Castro and each collected two hits to pace the Alabama A&M offense.

The two teams combined to use 17 pitchers throughout the four-plus hour game.
 
Terence Sales started on the mound for the Bulldogs and surrendered four runs on two hits, walked one and fanned one in 1.2 innings. Nick Espinola, Bryce Dolce, Edyn Barber, Antonio Torres, Virgil Heath Jr. and Raymond Clark pitched in relief.
 
James Wilson lasted just 0.1 of an inning for the Gamecocks and gave up four runs (three earned) on three hits. Jackson Evers, Jud Files, Brady Thomas, Josh Sibley, Owen Arndt, Sam Schmidt, Grayson Knight, Jaxson Davis and Skyler Hutto worked out the bullpen.
 
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on Friday as the Bulldogs visit Bethune-Cookman. First pitch for the opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT) from Sliwa Stadium.
 
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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