Game 1 Box Score (PDF) | Game 2 Box Score (PDF)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky University wrapped up the opening weekend of the 2026 season by splitting a doubleheader at Alabama State on Saturday in Montgomery, Alabama.
ASU won the first game 13-0 in seven innings before EKU rebounded to take game two, 14-7.
The Colonels jumped out to a quick start in game two with four runs in the first inning.
Jay Douglas drove in the first with a single up the middle.
Silas Shaffer plated two with a single through the left side.
Tyler Phillips brought home
Khaleel Pratt with a single through the left side to make it 4-0.
Alabama State took advantage of three EKU errors to score three runs in the bottom of the first. After the Colonels scored a run on an ASU error in the top of the second, the Hornets tied it up in the bottom half on two more EKU errors.
The Colonels (1-2) broke the tie in the top of the fourth.
David Alvarez started the frame with a triple to right field. Pratt followed with an RBI single through the left side. After Shaffer singled up the middle to put runners on the corners,
Dylan Littlefield drove in both with a double to right.
Carson Bittner capped the 4-run inning with a RBI single to right, making it 9-5.
Littlefield drove in another run with a single to right in the fifth. Later in the inning,
Ricco Longo brought home two runs with a single to right for a 12-5 lead.
The Hornets closed the gap to five with two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Jackson Cauthron drove in a run on a fielder's choice in the top of the ninth, and then scored on Bittner's single to right, to set the final score.
Shaffer finished 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs.
Pedro Moreno also had three hits in six at bats and scored once. Alvarez and Pratt scored three runs each and both had two hits. Littlefield was 3-for-5 with two runs, and three RBIs. Bittner drove in two while going 3-for-6 at the plate.
EKU starter
Jacob Price did not allow an earned run in four innings of work. He gave up five unearned runs, walked one and struck out five.
Griffin Howell and
Jack Bell combined to pitch the final two innings without allowing a hit or a run.
Alabama State's six hits came from six different players. Aden Malpass went 1-for-3 and scored three times.
In game one, Alabama State scored three times in the bottom of the second. With one out and one on, Alex Espaillat doubled down the right field line to bring in the first run of the game. Breydon Divine added an RBI single to left center and Malpass followed with a run-scoring double down the right field line to cap the inning.
The Hornets went up 4-0 with a run in the fourth and then pulled away with seven in the fifth.
Malpass had a 2-for-4 game with three RBIs. ASU starter Esaid Pena allowed two hits and one walk while striking out two in six innings.
Alvarez, Shaffer and
Gunnar Bingham had one hit each for EKU.
The Colonels will play their first home game of the season on Tuesday against Northern Kentucky. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. There will be a FREE EKU mesh hat giveaway. It will also be $2 Day. Tickets, popcorn, hotdogs and beer are just $2.
