MONTGOMERY, Ala. (March 2, 2019) - Aaron Barkley (1-0) pitched four shutout innings leading the Delta Devils to a 12-11 come from behind win over Alabama State Saturday at Wheeler-Watkins. MVSU scored four runs in both the sixth and seventh innings, three runs in the eighth and the game-winning run came in the tenth inning on a passed ball by the Hornets.

The Delta Devils entered the sixth inning trailing ASU 4-0, but three MVSU hits and a pair of errors by ASU gave MVSU four runs. Barkley got things going with a double to left field and advanced to third base on a single through the right side by Franklin Spencer. Then, Billy Leflore RBI singled through the right-side scoring Barkley. Freshman Antonio Walker drew a walk to load the bases and then a throwing error by the Hornets defense allowed three runs to score (Spencer, Leflore, Walker) trimming the deficit to 5-4.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, ASU extended their lead to 5-4 on a pair of hits. MVSU rallied with a four-run seventh inning. Senior Wendell Rieves blasted an RBI double scoring Chase Colding, followed by Jordan Sawyer RBI singling scoring Rieves giving the Delta Devils a 6-5 advantage. Leflore had his second hit of the afternoon with a double and then Walker singled for two RBI bringing in both Leflore and Swayer as the Delta Devils pushed to an 8-5 lead.

The Hornets jumped back in front with a six-run seventh inning (11-8). Then in the eighth inning, RBI singles by both Barkley and Spencer along with a bases-loaded hit by pitch tied the game at 11-11. Colding scored after leading the inning off with a single, Rieves scored on the hit by pitch and Barkley crossed home on the single by Leflore.

The game went into extra innings where the Delta Devils used smart base running to upset the Hornets. Marshall Parish led off the tenth inning with a single stole second and advanced to third n a groundout by Spencer. The game came to an end with Parrish scoring on a passed ball by the ASU defense as the Delta Devils won their first game of the season, 12-11.

Five Delta Devils had multiple hits against the Hornets in game one. Leflore had a season-high four hits, with two RBI and two runs scored. Rieves finished with three hits, two runs, and an RBI. Lomax, Barkley, and Spencer each had two hits.


Game 1 – Alabama State 12, MVSU 6
MVSU had 11 hits but committed four errors falling to Alabama State in the first game of a three-game weekend series. Jeremiah Barr (0-2) struck out two batters in four innings on the mound. Spencer pitched in relief tossing three innings with three strikeouts. Spencer also led the Delta Devils at the plate going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Lomax doubled twice and Rives also had a pair of hits recording two RBI.

ASU scored three runs in the first inning for an early lead over MVSU. Sawyer led the second inning with a double to right field and then scored on a double down the right-field line by Spencer. The second run came on a wild pitch sending Spencer home, 3-2. In the fifth inning, Rieves homered for the first time this season with a two-run shot to left-center field scoring Lomax who led the inning off with a double to left-center. Then, in the sixth inning, Colding hit a sacrifice fly to center scoring Parish who drew a walk. Lomax doubled down the left field line and scored later on a passed ball by the Hornets.

The Hornets had 12 hits scoring 12 runs winning the first game of the series. ASU scored three runs in both the first and fourth innings, tacked on five runs in the fifth inning and one run in the seventh inning.   


Game 3 – Alabama State 12, MVSU 3
Morgan Lomax hit his first home run of the season with a three-run shot as MVSU dropped the final game of the series with Alabama State, 12-3. Lomax stole a base, doubled and racked up three RBI. Gerald Pintarich (0-1) went 5.0 innings recording two strikeouts while walking four. The Delta Devils finished with six hits compared to 14 by ASU.

All three runs for the Delta Devils occurred in the fifth inning. Lomax went yard scoring both Walker and Parrish. Parrish singled and Walker drew a walk.

The Hornets got their lead with one run in the third inning, four runs in the fourth inning, one in the fifth, three in the sixth and four runs in the seventh inning.

Up next for the Delta Devils is a four-game homestand against North Dakota State. The Bison and Delta Devils start the series with a 2 p.m. game on Friday, March 8, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. and the final game is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m.