Alabama State makes huge comeback against UAPB
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Alabama State looked finished more than once Friday night at historic Rickwood Field.
The Hornets trailed by five runs entering the bottom of the seventh inning after Arkansas-Pine Bluff had controlled most of the day through multiple rain delays. Then Alabama State's offense exploded at exactly the right moment.
Miguel Oropeza delivered the swing that changed everything.
The Hornets outfielder ripped a bases-clearing double to center field during a four-run seventh inning before Devin Chandler blasted a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth to lift Alabama State to an 8-7 comeback win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the SWAC Baseball Tournament.
The victory keeps Alabama State alive in the winner's bracket while officially ending Arkansas-Pine Bluff's surprising tournament run after the Golden Lions stunned top-seeded Bethune-Cookman earlier in the week.
Alabama State survives another SWAC Tournament scare
Friday's matchup turned into one of the wildest games of the tournament so far.
Alabama State jumped ahead early with two first-inning runs behind RBI singles from Oropeza and Jackson Williams. But Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered quickly, tying the game in the second inning on a two-run single from Zach Wieder.
From there, the Golden Lions slowly grabbed control.
UAPB added another run in the fourth inning before taking advantage of Alabama State defensive miscues during a three-run sixth inning to build a 6-2 advantage. Vinny Saumell then added a solo homer in the seventh inning to stretch the lead to 7-2.
At that point, the Golden Lions appeared poised to continue their Cinderella run through the SWAC Tournament bracket.
Instead, Alabama State answered with its biggest inning of the postseason.
Miguel Oropeza ignites Alabama State comeback
The Hornets exploded for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Fabian Santana and Devin Chandler opened the rally with singles before Breydon Divine was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Oropeza then drilled a three-run double to center field, instantly cutting the deficit to 7-5.
Moments later, Trey Callaway added an RBI single to make it a one-run game entering the eighth inning.
Then Chandler delivered the decisive moment.
After Alex Espaillat singled to begin the inning, Chandler crushed a two-run homer to left field, giving Alabama State its first lead since the opening inning.
The Hornets never gave it back.
Rain delays throw SWAC Tournament schedule into chaos
Friday's game was part of another marathon day at Rickwood Field as severe weather continued disrupting the SWAC Tournament schedule.
The Alabama State-UAPB game itself was delayed multiple times and stretched across several hours before finally ending Friday evening.
The weather problems created a domino effect throughout the bracket.
As of 10 p.m. EST Friday night, the elimination game between Southern and Texas Southern was still only in the third inning, making it virtually impossible for the remaining scheduled games to be completed Friday night.
The SWAC officially revised the tournament schedule earlier Friday because of the weather interruptions.
Florida A&M waits after offensive explosion
Florida A&M remains unbeaten in Bracket A after dismantling Southern 15-6 in a game that did not end until approximately 12:45 a.m. EST Friday morning.
The Rattlers erupted offensively behind Jay Campbell, Justin McKenzie and Colton Ryals while continuing one of the strongest stretches of baseball in the conference entering the weekend.
FAMU is now waiting for the winner of the still-active Southern vs. Texas Southern elimination game.
Updated SWAC Baseball Tournament schedule
Saturday, May 23
- Game 10 - Bethune-Cookman vs. UAPB
- Game 11 - Florida A&M vs. Winner of Southern/Texas Southern (TBD continuation/update)
- Game 12 - Alabama State vs. Winner of Game 10 - 10 a.m. EST (9 a.m. CST)
- Game 11b (if necessary) - 1 p.m. EST (12 p.m. CST)
- Game 12b (if necessary) - 4 p.m. EST (3 p.m. CST)
Sunday, May 24
- SWAC Championship Game - 2 p.m. EST (1 p.m. CST)
Key performers from Alabama State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Alabama State
- Miguel Oropeza - 2-for-4, double, 4 RBI
- Devin Chandler - 2-for-4, home run, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored
- Trey Callaway - RBI single
- Camden Matthews - winning pitcher in relief
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Zach Wieder - 2-for-5, 3 RBI
- Vinny Saumell - 3-for-4, home run
- Zyon Hamilton - 3-for-5, RBI
- Konner Giddley - 2-for-5, 2 runs scored
With weather continuing to impact the schedule, the SWAC Tournament now appears headed for another long Saturday at historic Rickwood Field.
The post Alabama State makes huge comeback against UAPB appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
HBCU Gameday
This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 10:32 PM.