BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Alabama State baseball team won for the 13th time in 14 games with a 5-3 win over Alabama A&M in the inaugural game of the Magic City Diamond Classic at Historic Rickwood Field.
Chris Biocic, P.J. Harris and Ray Hernandez each had two hits asJoseph Camacho improved to 10-0 and Armando Ruiz earned his seventh save.
"A lot of times, you have to be able to win games when you're not swinging the bat well," Alabama State head coach Mervyl Melendezsaid. "I thought our pitching was phenomenal. Camacho gave us a lift. He struggled in a couple of innings, but he found his rhythm and did a very good job, keeping a very good offense off balance. I'm very proud of the team and their effort tonight. It was truly a team win."
Alabama State (28-12 overall, 16-3 SWAC) erased a 1-0 deficit with a three-run second inning. Waldyvan Estrada and Yamil Pagan walked to lead off the inning. After a fielder's choice forced out Estrada at third, Hunter Allen walked to load the bases.Joseph Estrada was hit by a pitch on a 2-1 count to score Pagan to tie the game. Hernandez then drilled a 1-2 pitch into left field for a single, scoring Harris and Allen for a 3-1 Alabama State lead.
The Hornets extended the lead in the third. Waldyvan Estrada singled to lead off the inning, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Pagan. Harris then singled to center on a 1-2 pitch to give Alabama State a 4-1 lead.
After Alabama A&M (22-24, 14-8) added a run in the bottom of the third, the Hornets scored again in the fifth. After Chris Biocic and Waldyvan Estrada walked, with one out both players successfully executed a double steal, with Biocic scoring on a throwing error for a 5-2 ASU lead.
Camacho went seven innings, allowing 10 hits (nine singles), three runs with two walks and seven strikeouts. Michael Estevez pitched the eighth ahead of Ruiz' two-ninth inning strikeouts to seal the win.
Alabama State and Alabama A&M will play a doubleheader Saturday at 3 p.m. with the live radio broadcast of both games on bamastatesports.com.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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