Hornets outhit Cowboys and rally from six runs down, but Oklahoma State survives in 11 innings to end ASU’s NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional run.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama State’s NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional run ended Saturday afternoon in one of the toughest ways possible: with the Hornets fighting all the way back, forcing extra innings and putting the tying run in scoring position before falling 8-7 to Oklahoma State in 11 innings at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. ASU trailed by six runs midway through the game, but instead of folding, the SWAC champions answered with the same formula that carried them through the postseason — timely power, competitive at-bats and late-inning resilience.
The Hornets outhit Oklahoma State 11-5 and scored seven runs after being shut out through the first five innings, tying the game in both the eighth and 10th innings. Niguel Jenkins and Cale Clark supplied the biggest swings with home runs, continuing a tournament trend in which Alabama State relied heavily on the long ball for most of its RBI production. But Oklahoma State survived behind two decisive home runs of its own — Colin Brueggemann’s fourth-inning grand slam and Kollin Ritchie’s go-ahead solo shot in the 11th — to eliminate Alabama State from the NCAA Tournament.
Scoring Summary
Top 4th — Oklahoma State 4, Alabama State 0
Oklahoma State broke through first after Brock Thompson doubled, Kollin Ritchie walked and Campbell Smithwick was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Colin Brueggemann followed with the biggest swing of the early innings, launching a grand slam to center field to put the Cowboys ahead 4-0.
Top 6th — Oklahoma State 6, Alabama State 0
The Cowboys added two unearned runs without recording a hit in the inning. Brueggemann and Garrett Shull reached, and Remo Indomenico reached on a left-field error that allowed both runners to score, extending the lead to 6-0.
Bottom 6th — Oklahoma State 6, Alabama State 2
Alabama State finally broke through with the long ball. Miguel Oropeza singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Niguel Jenkins homered to right center, cutting the deficit to 6-2.
Bottom 7th — Oklahoma State 6, Alabama State 3
The Hornets kept chipping away. Quentin Jenkins singled, Fabian Santana walked and Devin Chandler moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Breydon Divine then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Quentin Jenkins to make it 6-3.
Bottom 8th — Alabama State ties it, 6-6
Alabama State’s best inning came in the eighth. Niguel Jenkins doubled to left field and scored on a Jackson Williams RBI single. Cale Clark then delivered the swing that brought the Hornets all the way back, blasting a two-run home run to left field to tie the game at 6-6.
Top 10th — Oklahoma State 7, Alabama State 6
Oklahoma State regained the lead in extras. Brueggemann doubled and Brady Francisco came in to run. After two walks loaded the bases, Alex Conover drew another walk to force in Francisco and give the Cowboys a 7-6 lead.
Bottom 10th — Alabama State ties it, 7-7
The Hornets answered again. Niguel Jenkins singled, Aden Malpass came in to run and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After an intentional walk to Clark and a walk to Quentin Jenkins loaded the bases, Santana drew a bases-loaded walk to score Malpass and tie the game.
Top 11th — Oklahoma State 8, Alabama State 7
Ritchie opened the 11th with a solo home run to left field, putting Oklahoma State back in front 8-7.
Bottom 11th — Alabama State threatens but falls short
Alabama State put pressure on Oklahoma State one final time. Divine was hit by a pitch to open the inning, and Trey Callaway later singled to put the tying run in scoring position. The Hornets could not push the run across, and Oklahoma State escaped with the one-run win.
Alabama State Leaders
- Niguel Jenkins: 3-for-4, double, home run, two RBI, two runs scored and one walk.
- Cale Clark: 2-for-4, home run, two RBI, one run scored and one walk.
- Jackson Williams: 2-for-6 with one RBI and one run scored.
- Trey Callaway: 2-for-6.
- Miguel Oropeza: 1-for-5 with one walk and one run scored.
- Quentin Jenkins: 1-for-4 with one run scored and one walk.
- Fabian Santana: Walked twice and drove in the game-tying run in the 10th.
- James Peterson: Started and worked 5.2 innings, allowing six runs, four earned, on three hits with two strikeouts.
- Trey Power: Gave Alabama State 4.0 strong relief innings, allowing one run on one hit.
- Caleb Sanders: Took the loss after allowing one run in 1.1 innings, but also struck out two.
Team Comparison
- Hits: Alabama State outhit Oklahoma State 11-5.
- Errors: Oklahoma State 0, Alabama State 1.
- Home runs: Both teams hit two home runs.
- RBI: Oklahoma State had six RBI; Alabama State had seven.
- Walks: Oklahoma State drew 10 walks; Alabama State drew six.
- Strikeouts at the plate: Alabama State struck out 12 times; Oklahoma State struck out five times.
- Left on base: Alabama State stranded 11 runners; Oklahoma State stranded 10.
- Stolen bases: Oklahoma State stole two bases; Alabama State did not record a steal.
- Pitching usage: Alabama State used three pitchers; Oklahoma State used four.
- Winning pitcher: Mario Pesca improved to 7-4 for Oklahoma State.
- Losing pitcher: Caleb Sanders fell to 0-3 for Alabama State.
- Game time/attendance: The game lasted 4:05 in front of 3,011 fans.
Wrap Up
Alabama State’s season ended in heartbreak, but not without one final statement. The Hornets trailed 6-0, outhit Oklahoma State 11-5 and forced extra innings against a Big 12 opponent in an NCAA elimination game. The difference came in the margins: Oklahoma State turned five hits into eight runs by combining power with 10 walks, three hit batters and one key Alabama State error.
The regional also showed how much Alabama State leaned on the long ball to produce runs. In Friday’s loss to Alabama, all three Hornet RBI came on home runs from Miguel Oropeza and Trey Callaway. Against Oklahoma State, four of ASU’s seven RBI came on homers from Niguel Jenkins and Cale Clark. In all, seven of Alabama State’s 10 RBI in the Tuscaloosa Regional came via home runs.
The Hornets finished the season 34-23 after winning the SWAC Tournament championship and representing the conference in the NCAA Tournament. Saturday’s loss closed the year, but Alabama State left Tuscaloosa showing the toughness that carried it through the postseason: power at the plate, resilience under pressure and the ability to make a national seed-caliber field sweat until the final out.