LORMAN, Miss. – In its first-midweek contest of the 2023 season, the Alcorn State baseball team battled tough in an 8-4 loss against Mississippi Valley State Tuesday evening on Bill Foster Field.
The Devils (6-6) scored four runs in the fourth, one run in the sixth, two in the seventh, and a final run in the ninth to continue a three-game winning streak.
Alcorn moved to 1-11 on the season, scoring in the second and third in its final week before beginning SWAC West play at home next weekend. Tyler Daniels had a 2-for-3 appearance with two runs to lead the Braves at the plate, and Garrett Palladino had a 1-for-5 appearance with a double and three RBIs to lead the offense.
Kewan Braziel was credited with the loss on the mound. He pitched 4.0 innings for three strikeouts, four walks, seven hits, and four runs (three earned). Hayden Konkler entered the game in the sixth and threw for two innings. He also delivered three strikeouts with one hit, run, and walk.
The Braves scored first in the bottom of the second inning. Daniels led off with a single to record Alcorn's second hit of the contest. A fielder's choice and a throwing error would push the runner to second and third, and a groundout by Ben Martin pushed him home for the first run.
Mississippi Valley took the lead in the fourth inning, scoring four runs in the frame. After two back-to-back hits, a third single from Victor Figueroa would score two runners. The Braves converted the next at-bat to a double play, but a mistimed walk put another Devil runner on base. An error and a single would push the score to 3-1, and a bases load walk gave MVSU the 4-1 advantage.
The Devils added another run at the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly, but the Braves answered in the bottom of the inning with three runs to get within one of MVSU leads, 5-4. The Alcorn bases were loaded after a single and two walks. Palladino connected to double down the right field line to score Jaylon Lucky, Michael De Angelis, and Daniels for three RBIs.
Two runs in the top of the seventh for Valley moved the score to 7-4, and a final run in the ninth closed the contest at 8-4.
Figueroa led the Devils at the plate with a 3-for-5 appearance for five RBIs. Hunter Stallings was credited with the victory, pitching for 6.0 innings for eight strikeouts, four walks, six hits, and four runs (three earned).
The Braves will return to William "Rat" McGowan Stadium on Sunday, March 12, to take on Oakwood University in a doubleheader contest. It will be the final twin bill before Alcorn begins conference play. The first pitch is set for 11 a.m.
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