TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- Alabama State erased a six-run deficit and forced extra innings on Cale Clark's two-run home run in the eighth inning, but No. 2 seed Oklahoma State plated a run in the top of the 11th to claim an 8-7 victory over on Saturday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The Hornets (34-23) battled back from a 6-0 deficit and tied the game with a three-run eighth inning before eventually falling in a four-hour, five-minute marathon in front of 3,011 fans.
Oklahoma State (38-21) struck first in the fourth inning despite recording only one hit. The Cowboys capitalized on walks and an Alabama State error before Colin Brueggemann delivered grand slam home run centerfield giving Oklahoma State a 4-0 advantage.
The Cowboys extended the lead to 6-0 in the sixth inning when Kollin Ritchie launched a solo home run and Brueggemann added an RBI double.
Alabama State finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Niguel Jenkins blasted a two-run home run to center field, scoring Miguel Oropeza and trimming the deficit to 6-2.
The Hornets continued to chip away in the seventh. Quentin Jenkins singled and later scored on Breydon Divine's sacrifice fly, cutting the Oklahoma State lead to 6-3.
Alabama State's biggest inning came in the eighth. Trey Callaway opened the rally with a single before Jackson Williams reached safely. Clark then delivered the game's biggest swing for the Hornets, crushing a two-run home run to tie the game 6-6. Later in the inning,
Both teams were held scoreless in the ninth, sending the game into extra innings.
Oklahoma State regained the lead in the top of the 10th when Alex Conover drew a bases-loaded walk to force home a run and make it 7-6.
The Hornets answered immediately. Aden Malpass, running for Niguel Jenkins, came around to score the tying run in the bottom of the 10th, knotting the game once again at 7-7 and extending the contest to the 11th.
In the top of the 11th, Brueggemann drew a walk and eventually scored the go-ahead run, giving the Cowboys an 8-7 advantage. Alabama State threatened in the bottom half but could not push across the equalizer.
Despite being limited to five hits, Oklahoma State took advantage of 10 walks and three hit batters to score eight runs.
Alabama State outhit the Cowboys 11-5. Niguel Jenkins led the offensive attack by going 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Clark finished 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a walk. Williams added two hits and an RBI, while Callaway collected two hits.
James Peterson started for Alabama State and worked 5.2 innings, allowing six runs, four earned, on three hits while striking out two. Trey Power provided strong relief, surrendering just one run over four innings. Caleb Sanders (0-3) suffered the loss after allowing the winning run in the 11th inning.
Mario Pesca (7-4) earned the victory for Oklahoma State after tossing the final 3.2 innings. Brennan Phillips started for the Cowboys and struck out seven over 5.2 innings.
Brueggemann paced Oklahoma State offensively with two hits, including a home run and double, while driving in four runs. Ritchie added a home run and scored twice.
Alabama State finishes the season 34-23 overall after capturing the 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament Championship.