MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alcorn State baseball wrapped up its final SWAC road series of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling 17-3 to Alabama State at Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. The Braves (6-40, 1-26 SWAC) briefly trimmed the Hornets' lead to a single run in the third, but a 10-run fourth inning by Alabama State put the game out of reach.
Gavin Caston delivered a two-RBI single to highlight a three-hit third inning for Alcorn, while
Samuel Leonard continued his consistent offensive production with two hits and a stolen base.
Jermel Ford reached base twice and scored two of Alcorn's three runs.
Despite moments of promise offensively, the Braves were undone by defensive miscues and 12 walks issued on the mound. The loss marked the end of a challenging road stretch, as Alcorn prepares for its final home series of the season.
GAME RECAP
Hornets Build Early Lead
- Alabama State scored twice in the first and added a solo home run in the second to jump out to a 3-0 lead.
- Alcorn threatened in the second inning but left runners stranded after a double play.
Braves Battle Back
- In the third, Ford walked and Kanious Davis was hit by a pitch. Both stole bases before Caston drove them in with a single to left center.
- Later in the inning, Caston swiped second and scored on a wild pitch to cut the Hornets' lead to 3-2.
Alabama State Explodes in the Fourth
- The Hornets capitalized on walks and errors in the bottom of the fourth, plating 10 runs on six hits, including a two-RBI double by Kyler McIntosh and a two-run homer from Quentin Jenkins.
- The big inning ballooned Alabama State's lead to 16-2.
Alcorn Adds One More
- Ford singled in the fifth, stole third, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Caston for his third RBI of the game.
- Leonard singled in both the fourth and sixth innings, but Alcorn could not generate another rally.
Hornets Close It Out
- Alabama State added one more run in the sixth with a sacrifice fly, and Alcorn left the bases loaded in the seventh to end the game via run rule.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
PITCHING SUMMARY
- Jermel Ford (0-11) took the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) over 3.0 innings.
- Hunter Bell, Andres Chirinos, and Terrance Johnson all pitched in relief, with Chirinos surrendering six runs in the fourth.
- The Braves issued 10 walks and hit three batters across four pitchers.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 6 – Total hits for Alcorn
- 5 – Braves recorded at least one stolen base
- 3 – RBIs by Gavin Caston, matching a season high
- 12 – Walks allowed by Alcorn pitchers
- 2 – Team errors that led to extended innings for the Hornets
UP NEXT
Alcorn State (6-40, 1-26 SWAC) returns home for its final series of the regular season against Florida A&M University. Game one is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, at 6 p.m. CST at Rat McGowan Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi.
