BATON ROUGE, LA – Alcorn State baseball exploded for 14 hits and never trailed after the third inning, defeating Southern University 11-7 on Friday evening at Lee Hines Stadium. The Braves (5-25, 1-12 SWAC) earned their first conference win of the season, using big innings early and timely hits late to fend off a late Jaguars rally.
Samuel Leonard led the offensive charge, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Kalum Banks added a two-run homer in the third inning, while
Jaylon Burrell went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.
Jermel Ford and Reyfield Adams each drove in two runs, helping Alcorn produce one of its most complete performances of the season at the plate.
Kanious Davis (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the Braves, tossing six strong innings, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out eight. Alcorn's bullpen held off a late Southern push, stranding two runners in the ninth to seal the victory.
GAME RECAP
First Three Innings – Alcorn 6, Southern 2
- Southern took an early 2-0 lead on a two-run homer by C. Thibodeaux in the bottom of the first.
- Alcorn quickly responded with three runs in the second inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Adams and a two-run double from Leonard.
- In the third, Banks launched a two-run home run to right field, extending Alcorn's lead to 5-2.
- Burrell later scored on a groundout, pushing the Braves' advantage to four runs.
Middle Innings – Alcorn 9, Southern 4
- After a scoreless fourth, Alcorn added an unearned run in the sixth, with Adams scoring on a passed ball to make it 7-3.
- Southern plated a run in the bottom of the sixth, stealing home after a double steal attempt to cut the lead to 7-4.
- Alcorn answered in the seventh with two more runs, as Ford singled up the middle to drive in Leonard and later scored on a bunt single by T. Boze.
Late Innings – Alcorn 11, Southern 7
- Southern made things interesting in the eighth with a two-run homer from T. Bates and an RBI single by K. Byrd, cutting Alcorn's lead to 9-7.
- The Braves responded immediately in the ninth, plating two insurance runs after loading the bases on a hit by pitch and back-to-back singles. Adams walked to drive in a run, and Burrell scored on a wild pitch.
- Luke Sanders shut the door in the ninth, retiring the final three batters to preserve the win.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 4-for-4 – Samuel Leonard led the Braves with four hits, two RBIs, and two stolen bases.
- 14 – Alcorn pounded out 14 hits, one of their highest totals of the season.
- 8 – Kanious Davis struck out eight batters over six innings to earn the win.
- 3 – Jaylon Burrell recorded three hits and two runs scored, including a double.
- 5 – Alcorn stole five bases in the win, putting pressure on the Southern defense.
UP NEXT
Alcorn State (5-25, 1-12 SWAC) continues the weekend series against Southern University on Saturday, April 12, in Baton Rouge, LA. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. CST.
