Box Score (PDF)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Jay Douglas had three hits but Eastern Kentucky University lost its season-opener, 6-3, on Friday at Alabama State in Montgomery.
 
The Hornets (1-0) manufactured the game's first run in the bottom of the third.  Aden Malpass walked and then moved to second on a fly ball.  He stole third and then scored on a 1-out ground ball to the shortstop.
 
EKU tied it in the top half of the fourth.  Douglas singled to center field to start the frame and stole second with one out.  After a strikeout, Dylan Littlefield singled to left to bring home the tying run.
 
Littlefield broke the tie in the top of the sixth.  Douglas singled again to start the inning and moved to third on a single to left from David Alvarez.  With one out, Littlefield dropped a single into left center to plate Douglas and make it 2-1.
 
Alabama State took the lead in the bottom half of the sixth.  With one on and no outs, Jackson Williams sent a pitch over the wall in center field.  ASU added another run later in the inning.
 
EKU (0-1) closed to within 4-3 in the top of the seventh on a run-scoring double down the right field line off the bat of Douglas.
 
The Hornets built some cushion with a run in the bottom half of the seventh and another in the eight to pull ahead 6-3.
 
Douglas finished 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.  Littlefield went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
 
Redshirt junior Bradley Gagen started for the Colonels and struck out seven in four innings of work.  He allowed one run on two hits and four walks.
 
Jorhan LaBoy (1-0) earned the win after pitching six innings.  He allowed two earned runs, walked one and struck out four.  Williams finished 1-for-4 with a run and three RBIs.
 
The two teams will conclude the series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. ET.