VERO BEACH, Fla. (Interstat) — A dominant start from Trey Power and a lockdown bullpen effort carried Alabama State to a 2-1 victory over Texas Southern in a tightly contested non-conference baseball game Sunday evening at Holman Stadium.

The Hornets (5-2) scratched across single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, which proved just enough as their pitching staff held the Tigers (3-2) to one run on eight hits before an intimate crowd of 50.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the fifth inning. Texas Southern, trailing 1-0, threatened against Power with a two-out double from Byron Robinson and a walk to Ethan Joubert, putting the potential go-ahead runs on base. Power, however, escaped the jam by inducing a flyout from Miguel Morales to end the inning, preserving the slim lead. Alabama State then immediately responded in the top of the sixth when Jalen Williams doubled and scored on an Alex Espaillat RBI double, providing a crucial insurance run.

Power earned the win for Alabama State, delivering five strong innings. He allowed just one earned run on the solo homer to Morales in the second, surrendering no hits otherwise while walking two and striking out one. The Hornets’ bullpen was flawless, with Caleb Sanders and Camden Matthews combining for four hitless innings of relief. Matthews was particularly sharp, recording the final seven outs, including three strikeouts, to earn the save.

Texas Southern starter Justin Mayes was the hard-luck loser despite a stellar performance. He worked seven innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out 10 Hornets batters. The Tigers’ offense was led by Robinson, who went 3 for 3 with a double, and Zachari Pace, who added two hits, including a double. Morales provided the team’s only run with his second-inning home run.

Alabama State tallied nine hits, with Espaillat driving in a run as part of a 2-for-3 day. The Hornets broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Williams singled, advanced on a walk, and scored on an RBI single from AJ Mendoza.

Following the Morales homer in the second, Texas Southern put pressure on Alabama State but repeatedly failed to capitalize. The Tigers left two runners in scoring position in the second after a throwing error and finished the game 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Their final threat came in the ninth when Pace led off with a single, but Matthews closed the door, getting a popout and a flyout before Pace was caught stealing to end the game.

Alabama State continues its season on the road Tuesday at UAB. Texas Southern begins a three-game series at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday.