MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team jumped out to leads in both games of its Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) doubleheader on Saturday with rival Alabama State, but could not stop the high-powered Hornets offense in falling 13-10 in the opener and 25-9 in seven innings at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 1
Alabama A&M (8-23 overall, 2-10 SWAC) jumped out to a big lead in the top half of the first inning as the Bulldogs scored four runs on four hits and took advantage of an error to grab a quick 4-0 lead.
Trey Rutledge began the game with a double to right and moved to third when Dre Amaral reached on an error. With one out, Kylan Duncan followed with a single to right as Rutledge scored. Isaac Castro tripled to left as Amaral and Duncan scored. Elvis Victoriano followed with a single to left as Castro scored to give the Bulldogs a great start.
Alabama A&M plated one more run in the third as Miles Jackson reached on an infield hit, scoring Duncan as the Bulldogs stretched the lead to 5-0.
Alabama State (16-17, 9-3) scored nine runs, including eight in the fifth, to take a 9-5 advantage.
The Bulldogs closed the gap in the seventh inning.
Rutledge began the frame with an infield hit and stole second. Amaral brought Rutledge across with an RBI single to right. After a pitching change, Amaral advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Desmore Joseph triple down the line in left. With two outs, Joseph scored to pull AAMU to within one run, 9-8.
The Hornets answered in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by a two -run homer by Kelvin Agosto, to explode for four runs, pushing the advantage to 13-8.
Alabama A&M plated one run in the eighth and one more in the ninth but could not complete the rally in falling, 13-10, in the opener.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with 10 runs on 15 hits, with three errors and left seven on base
- Miles Jackson went 3-for-4, with three runs driven in and one run scored
- Kylan Duncan went 3-for-5, with two runs scored and one RBI
- Trey Rutledge and Isaac Castro each collected two hits
- Charles Morris started on the bump, giving up five runs on eight hits, with one strikeout in four innings
- Nick Espinola (0-4) and Bryce Dolce worked in relief
- Alabama State finished with 13 runs on 15 hits, committed three errors and stranded eight on base
- Juan Cruz went 3-for-3, with three runs scored and two RBI
- Kelvin Agosto went 3-for-5, with four RBI and two runs scored
- Fabian Santana, Isaiah Landry and Kameron Douglas each recorded two hits
- Kyler McIntosh surrendered four runs (three earned) on four hits, with one walk and one strikeout in just one-third of an inning
- Jafet Martinez (4-3), Will Smith, Jacob Loeffler and Caleb Sanders pitched in relief
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME 2
Much like the first two games in the series, Alabama A&M jumped out to a lead in the top of the first inning.
The Bulldogs plated three runs on four hits to take an early 3-0 lead.
Rutledge walked to begin the game and stole second. With two outs, Duncan singled through the left side as Rutledge scored and Charles Morris doubled down the line in left. Elvis Victoriano followed with a base hit to right center, scoring Duncan and Rutledge.
However, Alabama State answered in the bottom of the frame with six runs on six hits and took advantage of an error for a 6-3 lead.
The Hornets extended the advantage to 9-3 with three more runs in the second.
AAMU picked up a run in the fourth, but Alabama State responded with four in the bottom of the frame, pushing the lead to 13-4.
Back came the Bulldogs in the top half of the fifth inning with five runs on four hits, closing the gap to 13-9.
But the Hornets plated nine runs in the bottom of the inning and three more in the sixth for a 25-9 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with nine runs on 11 hits, with five errors and left nine on base
- Miles Jackson, Kylan Duncan and Kenny Glover each went 2-for-4, with one RBI and one run scored
- Avery Seaton (0-3) took the loss, giving up nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits, with one strikeout and one walk in 1.2 innings
- Edgar Rodriguez, Jordan Nolley, Raymond Clark and Killian McLaughlin saw action out of the bullpen
- Alabama State finished with 25 runs on 20 hits and stranded 10 on base
- Kelvin Agosto went 2-for-5, with six RBI and one run scored
- Alex Espaillat and Isaiah Landry each added three hits
- Esaid Pena started for the Hornets and gave up four runs on six hits, fanning three and walking two in four innings
- Kyler McIntosh (2-0), Will Bartkoski, Javon Christian and Jose Almazan worked in relief
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to action for its midweek game on Tuesday in the Magic City Diamond Classic as the Bulldogs face Miles College in Birmingham, Ala. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Regions Field.
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).