Rios Extends Streak to 30 in Opener against JSU

LORMAN, Miss. – Junior Wallace Rios Jimenez increased his on-base streak to 30 games, but the Alcorn State University baseball program fell 13-2 to Jackson State in seven innings Friday at Willie "E" Rat McGowan Stadium.
 
Rios' hit came in his final at-bat in the seventh inning. Alcorn (9-24, 5-11 SWAC) was down to its last strike when he lifted a hit into shallow left field. Rios needed a base hit by junior Der'Vincent Hamilton, plus a hustle play by sophomore Brandon Barna who beat-out a double play in order to get an at-bat.
 
Hamilton ended the game two-for-two with an RBI. It was his eighth multi-hit game of the season. Senior Jason Sanez also recorded a pair of hits for his ninth multi-hit game of the year.
 
The Braves got on the board in the second inning. Senior Patrick McMahon picked up an RBI with a hit after singles by Sanez and Hamilton.
 
Alcorn scored one more in the fourth. It started with a hit to center by senior Justin Barna. He advanced to second on an error, and to third on a balk. Justin Barna scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Hamilton.
 
JSU (30-11, 16-3 SWAC) scored three in the second, one in the third, four in the fourth, one in the sixth and four in the seventh.
 
Junior Jahborus Smith got the start and pitched 3.0 innings. Freshman Anthony Acosta and sophomore Tyler Smith both made appearances in relief.
 
The Tigers saw Jordan Bolden through all seven innings and earn the win. All nine starting hitters knocked at least one hit for JSU and Lamar Biggs had three.
 
"We just didn't come ready to play tonight and I'll take responsibility for that," said Alcorn head coach Bretton Richardson. "We tell all of our players 'just do your job' but there were too many situations tonight where we just didn't do it. We just have to come out and compete tomorrow; that's all that I ask of these guys."
 
Game two of the series has been moved up to 3 p.m. Saturday. The teams will wrap-up the weekend at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
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