LORMAN, Miss. – Playing in his final home contest wearing the Braves baseball uniform, Andrew Meadows put up a career performance against the Golden Lions of Arkansas – Pine Bluff Sunday afternoon. Despite his performance and a great offensive effort by Alcorn's batter, the Braves could not get past UAPB, falling 8-6 inside William "Rat" McGowan Stadium.
Starting the game and throwing 8.2 innings, Meadows delivered a career-high eight strikeouts against the Golden Lions. The Atlanta, Ga. native faced 29 batters for five hits against and eight runs (five earned). He started the contest strong, keeping UAPB scoreless and hitless for the first four innings, but a stressful fifth saw UAPB take the lead.
At the plate, Alcorn outhit Arkansas – Pine Bluff 10-5, reaching an early 4-0 lead in the second inning. Several Braves contributed to the success, as four connected for two hits each. Garrett Palladino, Diego Lopez-Molina, and Tyler Daniels had 2-for-5 plate appearances, while Jermel Ford went 2-for-4. Palladino and Ford were also credited with RBIs.
The Braves reached the scoreboard early in the contest. After retiring the Golden Lion's side with three back-to-back pop-ups, Alcorn scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Khalil Smith reached base on balls, then, Palladino doubled to third base to send him home. He then came home on a throwing error by UAPB's catcher. Lopez-Molina followed with a single up the middle, and after advancing to third on a single by Ford, Lopez-Molina stole home. The Braves led the Golden Lions, 3-0.
Meadows went through three batters in the second inning, sending them back to the dugout via strikeout. Smith was walked again at the plate and eventually made it home on a double by Palladino and a throwing error by the right fielder. Alcorn State led 4-0.
The third and fourth innings were scoreless for both opponents, but five runs in the top of the fifth gave Arkansas-Pine Bluff their first contest lead. Two singles and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. A walk scored a run, and a grand slam cleared the bases to bring the score to 5-4 for the UAPB.
Alcorn locked the board at 5 in the bottom of the eighth. Meadows enter the game to pinch-hit, reaching base on balls and eventually scoring on a wild pitch.
The victory was sealed for the Golden Lions in the ninth as they scored three runs; one on a single and two on errors.
The Braves answered in the bottom of the frame with Lopez-Molina coming home on a single by Ford, but it was not enough. UAPB defeats the Braves 8-6.
Alcorn State returns to action on Thursday, May 19 when they travel to Baton Rouge, La. to take on Southern University in a three-game series. The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, 6 p.m. on Friday, and on Saturday at 3 p.m.
For the latest on Alcorn State baseball, check AlcornSports.com for the latest news and scheduling information, or follow the Braves through Twitter (@BravesSports), Facebook (Alcorn State Sports), and Instagram (@AlcornSports).
