Box Score NEW ORLEANS. La. -
LADERIK WILLIAMS collected three hits and four Alcorn State University pitchers combined to strikeout 12, as the Braves gave coach Brett Richardson his first win as head coach with a 6-2 win Sunday over Southern University at the MLB Urban Invitational.
"I am thankful for the win, but as I tell the guys everyday, this thing is way bigger than any one individual," coach Richardson said. "It was a great team win. Something I hope we can build on moving forward."
Williams, batting out of the leadoff spot, tripled in the seventh inning and singled in the fifth and eighth innings. Second baseman
WALLACE RIOS added two hits and three RBI, while third baseman
CEDRIC WALKER also drove in two runs.
Starting pitcher
DANIEL BELMONT had a strong outing, striking out three and allowing just one hit in three innings of work while pitching around a couple of defensive miscues.
Lefty Pat McMahon came on in relief and went pitched 1 2/3 innings before running into a jam with nobody on and two outs in the fifth when a walk, a hit batter and a single left the bases loaded with two outs. But red-shirt sophomore
REGGIE JOHNSON came on to strike out the next batter to preserve the 2-2 tie.
Right fielder
JUSTIN BARNA promptly led off the bottom of the inning with a triple to left center and would score on a sacrifice fly by Walker to give the Braves a 3-2 advantage.
Alcorn State added a run in the sixth and freshman
CONRADO SKEPPLE replaced Johnson in the eighth to protect a 4-2 advantage.
Alcorn State added two insurance run in the bottom of the eighth and Skepple allowed one hit and struck out four in two scoreless innings to seal the victory and earn his first collegiate save.
Johnson recorded the win for the Braves, tossing 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball, striking out three.
The Braves are scheduled to play their home-opener at 1 p.m. Monday weather permitting against SE Missouri State.
