Alcorn tops Golden Lions 7-6 in SWAC Tournament

By Jeff Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, May 27, 2010

SHREVEPORT, La. — The Alcorn State Braves used some ninth inning dramatics to stay undefeated in the SWAC tournament and two wins from an NCAA regional berth.

One day after beating Southern 12-0 in the tournament’s opening game, the Braves got a RBI double from Alvin Jackson in the bottom of the ninth to get past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7-6.

“We just really fought all night. They played a good game, but in the end we just fought and allowed ourselves to be in a position to win the game in the end,” coach Barret Rey said.

Alcorn took a 6-4 lead into the ninth inning, but the Golden Lions scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to tie the score.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kenneth Rowan led off the inning by reaching on an error.

Jackson then laced a double down the right field line that scored Rowan and gave the Braves the victory.

Alcorn took an early 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the bottom of the second inning, but Pine Bluff exploded for four runs in the top of the fourth to grab a 4-1 advantage.

However, the Braves came right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the score.

A two-run double by Eduardo Gonzalez was the big hit of the inning.

The Braves then took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Cole Vicars drove in the first run with a single and then scored later in the inning on a wild pitch.

Vicars was also the winning pitcher after he came on to pitch in the top of the ninth inning in relief.

He gave up the lead on a double and sacrifice fly, but got the win when the Braves bats came through in the bottom of the ninth.

With the win, Alcorn (26-26) advances in the winner’s bracket and will play at 3 p.m. today against the winner of the 9 a.m. game between Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Southern.

“At this point, you just have to prepare for both of them. Right now, I feel pretty good. We have to continue playing good defense, get good timely hitting and we’ll be fine,” Rey said.

The tournament is double-elimination.