ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Drew Turner delivered a dominant start, and the UNC Asheville Bulldogs’ offense provided ample support in a 6-1 victory over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader at Greenwood Baseball Field on March 7, 2026.

The win improved UNC Asheville’s season record to 8-7, while Alabama A&M fell to 3-10.

The most important part of the game was Turner’s command on the mound, which stifled the visiting Bulldogs from the outset and allowed his team to rally from an early deficit. Alabama A&M scratched across a run in the top of the first inning when Miles Jackson singled up the middle to drive in a run. That would be the extent of their offense against Turner.

UNC Asheville answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame. After a double play erased a leadoff single, Blaize Johnson connected on a solo home run down the right field line to tie the game. The home Bulldogs then seized control for good in the fourth inning. With one on, designated hitter Eric Krumpe launched a two-run homer to right field, giving UNC Asheville a 3-1 lead it would not relinquish.

They extended the advantage in the fifth. Johnson doubled and later scored, and Patrick Gillen, who had walked, came home on a sacrifice fly by Ben Green. Another sacrifice fly, this time by Jake Minarik, plated Johnson to make it 5-1.

Alabama A&M pushed across an unearned run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Tervell Johnson, but UNC Asheville got it back in the bottom of the inning on an RBI double from Chase Klingemann.

Turner, the top star for UNC Asheville, was brilliant. He pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs while striking out five and walking one. He faced minimal trouble after the first inning, effectively neutralizing an Alabama A&M lineup that managed only two hits total.

His performance continued a stellar run, coming off a 14-strikeout, no-hit effort over six innings against Jackson State on Feb. 28.

Conversely, Alabama A&M starter Anthony Mateo took the loss despite a peculiar line. He pitched six innings and did not allow a hit until the fourth, but was charged with six earned runs, walking five and hitting a batter before the UNC Asheville lineup broke through.

The victory gave UNC Asheville a 2-0 lead in the weekend series after an 8-4 win on Friday. The teams were set to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.

According to pregame projections, Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 5-3 UNC Asheville victory, while its ELO system gave the home Bulldogs an 81.7% probability to win.

Alabama A&M will look to salvage the series finale on Sunday before traveling to face Samford on Tuesday. UNC Asheville will aim for a series sweep on Sunday ahead of a home game against Morehead State on Tuesday.