HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alcorn State scored in three different innings and held off a late Alabama A&M rally to win 8-6 on Saturday at Bulldog Field. Kayden Sutton earned his first win of the season, improving to 1-3. The right-hander pitched 7.2 innings, allowing six runs — four earned — on 10 hits, with one strikeout. Hayden Konkler finished the game, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings.
Alcorn took an early lead with two runs in the first inning. Centerfielder Rayfield Adams III scored on a single by Keatan Hawk, and a throwing error by A&M first baseman Colin Mason allowed Jaylyn Bennett to score. Alabama A&M responded in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly from Wilmer Cuevas to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Braves extended their lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning, with Nico Garcia doubling and scoring on Adams’ single. A passed ball also allowed another run. Alabama A&M’s Chris Walker drove in three runs with a two-out double in the sixth, tying the game at 4-4. Walker finished with three RBIs.
Alcorn retook the lead in the seventh, scoring three runs on stolen bases, hit batters, and errors. Cooper Harris and Keatan Hawk scored on unearned runs, and Garcia drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt. Adams added another run in the eighth, pushing the lead to 8-4.
The Bulldogs threatened in the eighth and ninth innings. A two-run error by Keondre Fields brought Alabama A&M within 8-6. Konkler stranded two runners in the eighth and ended the game with a fly out in the ninth. Adams led the Braves offensively, going 1-for-3 with three runs, two walks, and a stolen base. Harris and Garcia also contributed offensively.
For Alabama A&M, Miles Jackson went 3-for-4 with a stolen base, and Tarris Murray added two hits, including a double. Fields finished 1-for-5 with three RBIs. The Bulldogs used five pitchers in the loss, with Antonio Torres working 3.2 innings and surrendering two runs.
The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. at Bulldog Field. Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports), Instagram (@AlcornSports), and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for updates.
