Resilient Alabama State Hornets Baseball Beat 4th-Ranked Miami

CORAL GABLES, Florida -- The Alabama State baseball team beat 4^th-ranked Miami 6-5 Saturday night at Alex Rodriguez Park.

The Hornets (34-18) registered the biggest win in the program's history, beating the highest-ranked opponent ASU baseball has faced.

"Every win is a building block to where we want to be," head coach Mervyl Melendez said. "We have to continue to work hard and continue to get better."

Einar Muniz went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, Waldyvan Estrada went 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Richard Amion drove in two runs for Alabama State.

Every time Miami (33-14) scored, the Hornets scored in the very next inning, displaying the gritty resilience they have all season.

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Alabama State scored three runs in the second inning with two outs. Branden Castro singled up the middle, and Raul Perez dropped a single just inside the right field line, advancing Castro to third. Muniz then singled to right field, scoring Castro. Amion then drilled a two-run double down the left field line to give the Hornets a 3-0 lead.

After the Hurricanes tied the score with three runs in the sixth, Alabama State answered with two in the seventh. With one out, Muniz walked and Amion reached on an error. After the second out, Estrada hit an infield single to shortstop, scoring Muniz and Amion for a 5-3 lead.

Miami tied the score in the seventh at 5-5 before the Hornets answered once again. Marrero doubled to lead off the inning. With one out, Castro reached on an error, allowing Marrero to score for the final margin.

In the bottom of ninth, Normando Valentin (4-0) retired the first two batters before hitting Tyler Palmer with a pitch. On a 2-2 pitch, Zack Collins hit a grounder to the right side. Einar Muniz moved to his left on the outfield grass to field it, spun and threw to Dexter Price for the final out.

Joseph Camacho pitched 6 1/3 innings and was charged with all five Hurricane runs as he held Miami scoreless until the sixth inning. Valentin worked the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, walking none and striking out three.

"I'm very proud of Joe and Normando," Melendez said. "They did a great job. Our offense was very effective today, and we capitalized when we had runners in scoring position."

The final game of the series is Sunday at noon central time, with live internet radio on bamastatesports.com/showcase.

Box Score

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