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EMERSON, Ga. – The Ohio baseball team (5-4) fell to Alabama State (3-6), 12-6, in its final contest in Emerson, Ga., on Tuesday (Feb. 28).

The Bobcats were unable to overcome a 10-run third inning by the Hornets. Alabama State also tacked on runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 12-0 lead.

Ohio scored all six of its runs over the final two frames -- including a five-run eighth. Freshman pinch hitter Gus Cunningham (Fort Myers, Fla.) drew a one-out walk to get things started for the Bobcats, who then loaded the bases after a single by sophomore center fielder Devon Garcia (Bowling Green, Ohio) and a walk by redshirt freshman right fielder Ryan Sargent (Algonquin, Ill.). That set the table for senior shortstop Tyler Finkler (Olmsted Falls, Ohio), who plated Cunningham and Garcia with a two-RBI single through the right side. Sophomore first baseman Rudy Rott (Holmen, Wis.) then singled home Sargent to plate Oho's third run. After redshirt junior designated hitter Michael Klein (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) reached on a fielder's choice, senior second baseman Ty Black (Waynesville, Ohio) legged out an infield single to third to drive in Finkler. Klein scored the Bobcats' final run of the inning on a base hit to left center by redshirt sophomore left fielder Connor McMann (Flower Mound, Texas).

Cunningham scored Ohio's final run in the ninth after leading off with a walk and later scoring on a sacrifice fly to center by Rott.

Rott led Ohio at the plate with two singles and two RBIs.

Redshirt sophomore right-hander Nick Kamrada (Grand Ledge, Mich.) started on the bump for the Bobcats, pitching two scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. Junior righty Logan Jacik (Omaha, Neb.) was saddled with the pitching defeat, falling to 0-2 after allowing six earned runs on four hits and three walks in 0.2 innings of work.

Five Alabama State batters produced multi-hit efforts as the Hornets pounded out 15 hits. Sophomore left fielder Diandre Amion and junior first baseman Gustavo Rios each went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Amion tallied four RBIs and a walk while Rios drove in three runs.

Senior right-handed starting pitcher Burke Echelmeier fanned four over 7.1 frames on the mound for Alabama State. He gave up four earned runs on six hits and two walks.

Ohio visits Bowling Green, Ky., this weekend (March 3-5) to take on Western Kentucky at Nick Denes Field.

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