Alabama State University unloaded early and often to earn a 13-0 victory over Purdue-Ft. Wayne in the season opener for both teams at Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex on Friday. The Hornets ripped through Purdue-Ft. Wayne pitching for 12 hits including four for extra bases.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
FINAL: Alabama State 13 | Purdue-Ft. Wayne 0
Location: Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex | Montgomery, Ala.
Records: Alabama State 1-0 | Purdue-Ft. Wayne 0-1
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Hornets made quick work of the Mastodons with a 10-run second inning, highlighted by the two-run homer by designated hitter Jack Hay. ASU sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning and collected six hits including first baseman Corey King’s second double of the game that plated a run.
- ASU added a run in the fifth on a double by shortstop Kyler McIntosh scoring Randy Flores.
- Hay added to his RBI total with a bases-loaded walk to score Flores in the seventh.
- Flores earned a two-out single in the eighth that scored Jamal George.
ON THE MOUND
- Lefthander Omar Melendez allowed just two hits in five shutout innings to earn the win. He struck out four and walked two, throwing 68 pitches to pick up his first win of the season (1-0).
- Ricardo Rivera pitched three innings allowing just one hit and striking out four.
- Austin King pitched a perfect ninth to close out the game.
- Purdue-Ft. Wayne starter JD Meaney lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up eight runs on six hits. He struck out one and walked three, getting tagged with the loss (0-1).
INSIDE THE BOX
- Corey King, the 2023 Preseason SWAC Player of the Year, opened his season with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in six trips to the plate. He also had a walk.
- Kyler McIntosh had two hits including a double, a run scored and a walk.
- Trenton Jamison reached three times with a single, a walk and on an error. He score one run.
- Jack Hay homered, singled and walked, knocking in three runs and scoring twice.
- Cristian Lopez reached base four times with a single and three walks. He scored two runs.
- Jamal George had two hits a walk and three runs scored.
- Kyle Kuramoto singled, scored a run and knocked in one.