Braves Take Game One at JSU, 10-3

JACKSON, Miss. – Early offense and strong pitching from starter Carlos Lopez earned the Alcorn State University baseball program a 10-3 decision in the SWAC series opener against Jackson State Friday night at Bob Braddy Field.
 
With the victory, the Braves improve to 11-30 overall and 6-13 in conference play. The Tigers, who entered this weekend atop the East Division standings, fall to 26-15 overall with a 15-7 mark in league play.
 
"It was a team effort tonight," said head coach Bretton Richardson. "We played good defense, Lopez threw strikes, and we were able to score some runs. We were fortunate to get some guys on early tonight and score some runs and put them on their heels. But they have a good ball club and tonight's history, so we've got to come out and do the same thing tomorrow."
 
Justin Barna posted a 3-for-4 effort at the plate with a double, an RBI, a walk, and four runs scored. Jordan McGowan hit 3-for-5, brought in three runs, and scored two more. A.J. Makarewicz also tallied three RBIs as he finished 3-for-4 with a double and a free trip to first. Nicholas Hayes-Saltare batted 3-for-4 and Der'Vincent Hamilton also had a multi-hit game as he went 2-for-4 with a pair of bases on balls and two runs. Kyle Jenkins may not have recorded a hit as he ended the night 0-for-3, but the redshirt-sophomore catcher made an impact with a pair of RBIs, a run scored, and two walks. On defense, he led the team with 11 putouts while Barna followed with six.
 
Lopez (4-2) earned his second win in as many opportunities after tossing 8.0 innings. The junior allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while sitting down nine of the 31 batters he faced. Razedrick Winters closed out the game and gave up one run on two hits and a walk with one punch out.
 
"I got three pitches working tonight," said Lopez after the game. "My change up was good and the first pitch was a strike, that's the most important thing. They swing the bat really well, but today we did the small stuff and put ourselves in a position to win."
 
The Braves opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the first. Rios Jimenez drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a wild pitch before Barna doubled to left center. Hamilton then earned a free trip to first to put two on. JSU would retire the next two batters, but another wild pitch put runners in scoring position and McGowan singled to right to make it 2-0.
 
Alcorn extended its lead with three more runs in the third. Barna started with a leadoff single to center and proceeded to steal second. Hamilton worked a full count and a Hunter Wilson groundout moved the two Braves up to second and third. The Purple and Gold benefited from yet another wild pitch and Jenkins hit a ball deep enough to left for the sacrifice fly. Alcorn then put together three consecutive hits for the 5-0 advantage.
 
After McGowan touched home to make it a 6-0 game in the top of the fifth, JSU finally got its offense going with one run on two hits in the bottom half of the frame. Alcorn responded with two more in the sixth and another pair in the seventh to help put the game away. The Tigers got a leadoff double in the bottom of the sixth, but were only able to come away with one run. JSU had an opportunity in the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff double, a walk, and a one-out single down the left field line. Alcorn's defense snuffed out any hopes of a comeback though as Makarewicz got the lead runner at third on a fielder's choice and Winters induced a pop up to left for the final out.
 
The teams will return for game two in the series tomorrow at 3 p.m.
 
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