ITTA BENA, Miss. - Mississippi Valley State's baseball team put on an offensive slugfest Sunday (April 28) in Itta Bena. Wendell Rieves (Crawford, Miss.) smacked a grand slam and the Delta Devils rallied for five runs in the ninth to force extras. But Alcorn State got two runs in the 12th and left town with the win and the series by a 14-12 final.  

Rieves' slam gave Valley a 5-4 edge in the first inning, after Aaron Barkley (El Cajon, Calif.) delivered an RBI single to start the scoring. Alcorn recovered to regain the lead on a home run from Kyle Jenkins – one of three he would hit on the day.  

The Braves increased their lead to 11-5 by the fourth inning. Frederick Spencer II (Indianola, Miss.) added an RBI single that helped plate two runs the following frame. Alcorn's offense was tempered by Barkley, who came in to pitch in the top of the seventh, but the Devils found themselves down 12-7 heading to the ninth.  

With two outs remaining, Willie Johnson (Lena, Miss.) delivered a double to score Marshall Parrish (Hattiesburg, Miss.). Jordan Sawyer (Mobile, Ala.) and Barkley followed with extra base hits of their own to make the score 12-10. Billy Leflore (Carthage, Miss.) then stepped up to the plate and smashed a two run shot to right field, completing the rally.  

Both teams had opportunities to win the game in the 10th and 11th. Alcorn picked off a Valley runner to deny a rally in the 10th and snuffed out a two on, two out rally in the 11th.  

In the 12th the Braves finally cracked Barkley's code. An error set up a triple for Jenkins in what would be the winning run. Barkley went six innings and earned 10 strikeouts along the way, but was saddled with a hard luck loss.  

Valley's record falls to 8-24 (6-14 SWAC) this season.  

Baseball's 2019 campaign will wrap up with a three game series against Alabama A&M in Itta Bena. There will be a 3 p.m. Friday (May 3), followed by Family & Friends Day at 3 p.m. Saturday (May 4) and Senior Day at 1 p.m. Sunday (May 5).