Bats Come to Life Despite Dropping Series Finale to AAMU

LORMAN, Miss. – A high scoring affair resulted in 10 runs for the Alcorn State University baseball program, but it wasn't enough as Alabama A&M ended on top 13-10 Sunday at Willie "E" Rat McGowan Stadium.
 
The 10 runs for the Braves (7-15, 3-6 SWAC) marked a conference high this season.
 
Junior Wallace Rios Jimenez, senior Walter Vives, sophomore Brandon Barna and senior Justin Barna all recorded a pair of hits. Rios extended his on-base streak to 19, and senior Kirt Cormier increased his to 12.
 
Alcorn trailed 3-0 in the second inning when it got on the board on a passed ball. It plated Brandon Barna who reached initially on a single through the left side.
 
The Braves tied it 3-3 in the third inning. Alcorn had runners on second and third when Justin Barna hit a sacrifice fly to the right, and the right fielder overthrew the catcher to score both runs.
 
AAMU (8-19, 5-4 SWAC) scored four in the fifth inning to go up 7-3, but the Braves came right back with a three-run homer by Justin Barna in the bottom half to make it 7-6. Justin Barna, who finished the contest with five RBI, launched a towering shot to left field to score junior Wilbert Malphus and Cormier who both walked.
 
The Bulldogs responded with another big inning with six runs in the sixth to lead 13-6.
 
The Braves didn't go down without a fight and chipped away with scored two in the seventh and a couple more in the eighth. It included a two RBI single by Vives to cut the deficit to 13-10.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, Brandon Barna reached on an infield single and junior Nicholas Hayes-Saltare walked to bring up the tying run with one out, but AAMU's Brandon Marsonek struck out the last two batters to hang on for the save.
 
Sophomore Carlos Lopez (3-2) was tagged with the loss after pitching 4.1 innings. Freshman Anthony Acosta and sophomore Conrado Skepple tossed the final 4.0 frames without allowing a run.
 
Dameyune Mayhand (1-1) picked up the win despite giving up two runs in just one inning of work. Marksonek threw the final 5.0 frames. Fernando Diaz Jr. started but was pulled after surrendering three runs in 3.0 innings.
 
Justin Barna became the first Brave to notch five RBI in a game this year.
 
The Braves will look to bounce back when it travels for a pair of midweek games at Nicholls State on Tuesday and Wednesday at 6 p.m.
 
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