CHICAGO | Zak Rice went 3-for-4,with four RBIs and
Miles Jackson was 3-for-6 with three runs scored as the Alabama A&M University baseball team broke open a close game with a four-run sixth inning as the Bulldogs held off a late rally to defeat Prairie View A&M in the Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic, 10-7, on Saturday night in the first-ever Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game at historic Wrigley Field.
Alabama A&M (10-37 overall, 4-19 SWAC) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as
Miles Jackson drew a lead-off walk and came around to score on a
Zak Rice base hit to right.
Prairie View A&M (9-35, 5-18) answered in the bottom of the inning with one run, tying the game at 1.
Back came the Bulldogs in the top half of the second as
Keilon Parnell drew the lead-off walk and came in to score on a Jackson ground out to the second baseman as AAMU grabbed the 2-1 advantage.
The Panthers responded in the bottom of the inning as DeShon Middleton's triple to right center scored John Lawson, tying the game at 2-2.
AAMU answered in the top of the third inning.
With one down in the frame, Rice and
Keondre Fields drew back-to-back walks.
AJ Anderson followed and reached on an error to load the bases. Rice scored on a wild pitch and Fields came across on a groundout by Parnell as the Bulldogs grabbed a 4-2 lead.
Alabama A&M continued to give starting pitcher
Anthony Mateo run support with two more runs in the fourth.
Devante Wells began the frame with a walk and advanced to second on a Jackson base hit up the middle.
Brycen Hammonds moved the runners over a base on a sacrifice bunt and
Tarris Murray flied out to center for the sacrifice fly as Wells scored. Rice followed single to left to plate Jackson as the Maroon & White extended the advantage to 6-2.
The Bulldogs exploded for four runs on three hits in the sixth to blow the game wide open.
Wells was hit by a pitch to open the inning and advanced to second when Jackson singled to left. With one down, both runners advanced on a based ball and Murray walked to load the bases. Rice, who was named the Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic MVP, followed with a two-RBI single to right center as Wells and Jackson scored. After a bunt single by Fields, Anderson drew a walk to plate Murray and Rice scored on a Parnell sacrifice fly to right, stretching the Bulldogs lead to 10-2.
Prairie View A&M picked up three runs in the sixth and one more in the eighth to close the gap to 10-6.
The Panthers nearly rallied in the bottom of the ninth as Prairie View A&M was able to scratch across one run, before falling 10-7.
Mateo (4-4) settled down after giving up two early runs to pick up his fourth win of the season. He gave up five runs on seven hits, fanned seven and walked a pair in seven innings.
Evan Hurlburt and
Edyn Barber worked the final two innings in relief.
Oliver Brown (1-4) was charged with the loss as he surrendered six runs on five hits, with five walks and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Beau Beaty pitched the final 5.1 innings in relief.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M closes out play in the Chicago HBCU Baseball Classic on Sunday against Prairie View A&M. First pitch against the Panthers is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Wintrust Field in Schaumburg, Ill.
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).
