MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — Alex Espaillat drove in three runs on a perfect 4-for-4 day, powering Alabama State to a 9-3 win over Longwood in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday.

The Hornets erupted for five runs in the bottom of the first inning, erasing an early 3-0 deficit. Espaillat’s RBI single tied the game and his run-scoring double in the third helped extend the lead. Alabama State racked up 14 hits.

Jaxon Baptist earned the win for Alabama State, allowing three runs over seven innings. Longwood’s Wyatt Bunch, JR Fordham, and Joe Gomez combined for 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in the loss. Jae’dan Carter had three of the Lancers’ seven hits.

Alabama State improved to 8-7. Longwood fell to 12-4.