Alabama State clinches third SWAC baseball crown

It was a warm, buzzing night in Baton Rouge when the Alabama State Hornets stepped onto the diamond for the SWAC championship game. You could feel the anticipation crackling in the stands – students, alumni, and a few curious locals all glued to the action.

The Hornets, coached by the ever‑patient Willie Bell, opened the game with a burst of energy, loading the bases early and sneaking the first run past the Texas Southern pitchers. The crowd erupted, and the players fed off that momentum, adding a couple more runs before the middle innings.

Texas Southern tried to rally, stringing together a few solid hits, but the Hornets’ defense held firm. A key double play in the fifth inning, followed by a clutch strikeout from senior reliever Marcus Hunt, kept the deficit manageable.

By the seventh inning, Alabama State had built a comfortable lead, 7‑2, and the vibe in the stadium turned celebratory. Fans were chanting, drums were beating, and you could see the smiles spreading across the players’ faces – the kind that says, “We’re finally here.”

Texas Southern managed a late run, but the final score settled at 7‑3. When the horn sounded, the Hornets poured onto the field, hugging, high‑fiving, and even sharing a few goofy dances. It was more than just a win; it felt like a culmination of years of hard work, late‑night practices, and the kind of community support that HBCU athletics thrives on.

With the championship in hand, Alabama State now heads to the NCAA Regionals, representing the Southwestern Athletic Conference on a bigger stage. The excitement is palpable, and the Hornets are eager to prove they belong among the nation’s best.

Coach Bell, meanwhile, kept it real in the post‑game interview: “We’ve got a great group of kids who work hard every day. This title means a lot, but we know the real test is just beginning.”