LORMAN, Miss. – The Braves suffered a hard-fought doubleheader loss against Arkansas – Pine Bluff Saturday afternoon, dropping the first game 15-13 and the second 9-4. Alcorn State put up a tough offense but was unable to outlast the Golden Lions as both contests were decided in the final innings.
On the day, the Braves connected 22 hits while allowing 30. Tyler Daniels and Diego Lopez-Molina had four hits each over the two games leading the offensive effort. In game one, Daniels had a 3-for-6 plate appearance with two runs and two ribbies, and Lopez – Molina connected for three hits (one double) on three at-bats for three runners batted in.
Daniels and Lopez-Molina had just one hit in the second competition, but Jamil Betancourt stepped in, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs and one run.
Betancourt also saw action on the mound, receiving the first loss of the day. The Kissimmee, Fla. native took over pitching duties in the sixth inning for one hit against, four earned runs, and two strikeouts.
Starting pitcher Jermel Ford took the loss in the second game. The freshman from Hattiesburg, Miss. pitched the first eight innings for 11 hits against, three earned runs, one walks, and three strikeouts.
On the Golden Lions side of the plate, Edwin DeLaCruz and Brandon Simons won the day with six hits each. Peyton Niemann earned the first win on the mound, and Damon Elarton took the second.
The Braves and the Golden Lions return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. inside William "Rat" McGowan Stadium for the final game of the series. Alcorn will also honor three senior student-athletes; Andrew Meadows, Brandon Dunn, and Christopher Pittman, playing in their last home game wearing the Braves uniform.
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).
