NEW ORLEANS, La. — Alabama State pounded out 14 hits and used the arm of Jacknell Guzman to shut out Prairie View A&M 12-0 in the opening game of the Andre Dawson Classic Friday afternoon.
Guzman (1-0), making his first appearance in an Alabama State uniform and finished with a complete-game effort in the seven-inning run-rule contest. He allowed just two hits and struck out three in the victory.
Meanwhile, Alabama State (1-0) pounded out 14 hits including three players with multiple hits led by Dilan Espinal who went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in, a double and a run scored. Chris Lewis finished 2-for-4 with three runs batted in and a home run, while Ian Matos finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in. All nine starters picked up at least one hit in the win.
After the two teams went scoreless through the first two innings, Alabama State erupted for three runs in the third on a trio of run-scoring hits. They added five more in the fourth on four hits — including the Espinal double — and a Prairie View A&M error. They would end the scoring with four more in the sixth highlighted by the Lewis home run.
Alabama State returns to action Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. against UAPB on day two of the Andre Dawson Classic.
