LORMAN, Miss. – The Alcorn State baseball team dropped a heartbreaking makeup game against Arkansas – Pine Bluff, 11-10 on Thursday at William "Bill" Foster Baseball Field.
Khalil Smith highlighted the afternoon as he went 3-for-5 with two runs and one RBI. This is the first time that a Brave has tallied three hits in a game since the Southern series in early April. Two other Braves had multi-hit games as Jamil Betancourt went 2-for-4 with one run and two ribbies, and Tyler Daniels went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs. Alcorn also had two batters hit for extra bases. Diego Lopez-Molina and Jermel Ford both connected for doubles.
The Braves, acting as the visitors in Thursday's contest, opened up the first with a run scored on Ford's double to score Smith.
The Golden Lions plated four runs in the bottom of the frame, but starting pitcher Tyler Feltson notched on swinging strikeout. UAPB took a 4-1 advantage as the teams entered the second.
Alcorn regained the lead, adding five in the top of the inning. Garrett Palladino, Smith, and Daniels landed singles to score runs, and Lopez-Molina collected a double. The Braves move ahead 6-4.
The Golden Lions added one more in the bottom to cut Alcorn's lead to 6-5. Feltson snagged two more swinging strikeouts during the exchange.
Bringing the contest to 7-5, Smith singled to the shortstop, while Palladino came home on an error by the shortstop.
The Golden Lions held the Braves at bay while putting up one run in the bottom of the fourth and two runs in the fourth to take its first lead since the opening inning, 8-7.
Alcorn locked the scoreboard at 8 as Betancourt scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
The contest would remain tied until Arkansas-Pine Bluff put up three runs in the bottom of the seventh to overtake the Braves, 11-8.
Alcorn answered with two runs in the top of the eighth, with two runners coming home on a single to centerfield by Betancourt.
Despite getting a man on base in the top of the ninth, the Braves were unable to score again for a final score of 11-10.
Alcorn's record falls to 2-33 overall and 2-22 in Southwestern Athletic Conference action. Arkansas-Pine Bluff's overall record improves to 10-33-1 and 6-18 in conference play.
The Braves and the Golden Lions will play the Alcorn home series opener on Friday at 6 p.m. inside William "Rat" McGowan Stadium.
For the latest on Alcorn State baseball, check AlcornSports.com for the latest news and scheduling information, or follow the Braves through Twitter (@BravesSports), Facebook (Alcorn State Sports), and Instagram (@AlcornSports).
