Alcorn State is set to host Alabama State in a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball series starting Thursday at McGowan Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi. The series also marks Senior Appreciation Weekend, honoring the team’s graduating players, according to team officials.
The series opens Thursday at 6 p.m., with games scheduled Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. All games will be available via live listen links, the school said.
Alcorn enters the series with a 9-39 overall record and a 3-22 mark in conference play, according to team stats. Despite injuries, shortstop Asher Friedman leads the team with a .318 batting average, while Jaylyn Bennett has the most hits (46) and doubles (9). Bennett’s slugging percentage is .426, the team’s highest.
The team’s home run leaders are Keaten Hawk and Cooper Harris, with three each. Harris has missed the last three series due to injury but has driven in 29 RBIs. Chase Moore has reached base in his last seven games, including a six-game hitting streak. Several players, including Bennett, Davis, and Hawk, have recorded double-digit multi-hit games this season.
On the mound, pitcher Nicholas Johnson has a 3-4 record with a 7.45 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 29 innings. Freshman Devin Kriley leads the pitching staff with 44 strikeouts.
Historically, Alabama State has dominated the series, holding a 55-22 lead since 2006, including winning the last three matchups. Alcorn’s last series victory over the Hornets was in 2013, with a 5-3 win in Montgomery, Alabama, and their last home win was a 5-3 game on April 12, 2014.
Alabama State, with a 27-21 overall record and 17-10 in SWAC play, is led offensively by Breydon Divine, who has 66 hits and 15 doubles. The Hornets have stolen 27 bases but have been caught 64 times. Trey Callaway and Jackson Williams lead the team with 14 and 12 home runs, respectively. Jorhan LaBoy has a 7-5 record as a pitcher with a 5.03 ERA, while James Peterson has a 3.18 ERA out of the bullpen, with a 6-1 record and 40 strikeouts.
Alcorn’s last game resulted in an 11-1 loss to Prairie View A&M, with Prairie View’s Jordan Williams driving in three runs and Isaac Herrera pitching six scoreless innings. The Braves’ offense struggled against Prairie View’s pitching, and their bullpen was heavily taxed in the loss.
Alcorn coach Hardy emphasized the importance of the series for senior players and the team’s effort to send them out on a high note. “This one means a lot. These seniors have given everything to this program — on the field, in the locker room, and in the classroom,” Hardy said. “We want to honor them with a win against Alabama State and give them a memorable sendoff.”
