Alabama State defeated Alcorn State 15-11 in the opening game of their Southwestern Athletic Conference series Thursday at Willie E. ‘Rat’ McGowan Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi. The game lasted all nine innings and featured a high-scoring battle with several lead changes.
Alcorn State (9-40, 3-23 SWAC) fell behind early, giving Alabama State a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Braves responded in the third inning, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs—six unearned—to take a 9-5 lead. Third baseman Kanious Davis contributed with an RBI double and a single, while designated hitter Adrian Vallescorbo drove in two runs with a single.
The Hornets (28-21, 18-10 SWAC) rallied in the sixth, tying the game at nine on a two-RBI single by Jackson Williams, who finished 4-for-4 with six RBIs and two doubles. Williams was injured sliding into third in the ninth inning and was replaced by a pinch-runner. Alabama State then pulled ahead with four runs in the seventh, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Williams, giving the Hornets a 13-9 lead.
Alcorn refused to quit. In the eighth inning, sophomore right fielder Keatan Hawk singled and, after a catcher’s error, scored two runs to cut the deficit to 14-11. However, relief pitcher Camden Matthews shut down the Braves in the final innings to secure his fifth save of the season. Trey Power earned the win for Alabama State, allowing two earned runs over five innings.
Alcorn’s bullpen struggled, with Jacob Wingard walking three and hitting a batter in just one-third of an inning. José Cherena allowed five earned runs over 5.1 innings of relief. Hayden Konkler took the loss after surrendering four runs in one inning, stepping in after starter Yoni Castro exited early due to injury.
Leading hitters for Alcorn included Davis, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two walks; Jaylyn Bennett, with two hits and two RBIs; and Vallescorbo, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. The series continues Friday, May 15, at 2 p.m. CDT.
