Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A five-run fourth inning and a dominant performance from the bullpen powered Alabama State past Jackson State, 7–6, in the opening round of the 2025 SWAC Baseball Championship at historic Rickwood Field.
The Hornets (30–27) erased an early 1–0 deficit in the fourth inning, capped by Kameron Douglas' grand slam to right-center, his 15th home run of the season. Kelvin Agosto sparked the offense from the lead off spot, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base, while Juan Cruz added two hits and scored twice.
After tying the game 1–1 in the third, Alabama State erupted in the fourth. A walk, an error, and back-to-back singles loaded the bases for Douglas, who delivered the decisive blow with one swing.
Jackson State (29-20) fell behind 7-1 through five innings before rallying for five of its own over three innings including a two-run home run by Pierre Cabral in the sixth inning to trim the lead to 7-4. They used a pair or RBI singles by Ledy Alvarez and Jordan McCladdie in the top of the eighth inning to trim the deficit to 7-6 before Alabama State (30-27) was able to hold on for the win in the ninth.
Eric Elliott (6-1) suffered the loss in the start working 4.0-plus innings allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits with five strikeouts, while throwing 106 pitches before giving way to Nkosi Didder in the bottom of the fifth inning. Didder logged 4.0 scoreless innings allowing just four hits and striking out two.
The Tigers collected 11 hits led by three players with a pair of hits each including McCladdie who finished 2-for-5 with an RBI. Hederick Torres finished 2-for-3 with a run scored, and Alvarez finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
ASU’s Jorhan Laboy (8–2) earned the win, yielding eight hits and four earned runs over 6.0 innings. He was supported by Will Smith, Trey Power, and Jafet Martinez, who combined to allow just 2 more runs over the final three innings. Martinez recorded his second save of the year with a clean ninth.
Alabama State will face the top seed Bethune-Cookman in the second round on Thursday at 3 p.m. CST.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
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