CINCINNATI. — Kentucky State baseball took part in Major League Baseball's annual Jackie Robinson Day as they competed in the Joe Morgan HBCU Classic, where the Thorobreds fell 14-11 to Wilberforce on Wednesday at the Reds Urban Youth Academy.
 
Prior to the game, current Reds players Will Benson, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Rece Hinds and Dane Myers participated in a Q&A session for student-athletes from both teams, along with throwing out the first pitch.
 
Senior Zion Lewis had a strong afternoon at the plate with a two-run home run and two RBIs. Junior Ryan Campbell continued to perform well in the batter's box with a triple for two RBIs while scoring two runs. Junior Haruta Endo reached base three times, with two walks and a hit that drove in two runs, and scored twice.
 
Kentucky State established control early, scoring one run in the first inning before exploding for five runs in the second. Sophomore infielder Braylen Duncan ignited the rally with an RBI single, followed by a two-RBI single from Campbell and a fielder's choice from Lewis. The Thorobreds continued the pressure in the third inning when Lewis delivered his two-run blast, followed by an RBI double from freshman catcher Aidan Mundy to make it 9-1.
 
Wilberforce began its comeback in the bottom of the fourth, plating seven runs to narrow the gap to 9-8. The Bulldogs eventually took their first lead of the game in the sixth inning and added four insurance runs in the seventh behind home runs from Alexander and Miller.
 
The Thorobreds attempted a final rally in the eighth inning. After McDonald tripled to lead off the frame, Endo drove him in with a single. Dossett followed with an RBI single of his own to cut the Wilberforce lead to 14-11, but KSU was unable to close the gap in the ninth.
 
UP NEXT
Kentucky State will head to Atlanta for a SIAC series with Clark Atlanta April 18-19.
 
Follow KSU Sports   
For complete coverage of Kentucky State Athletics, follow the Thorobreds on social media @KYSUAthletics (X), @ksuthletics (Instagram), Kentucky State Athletics (Facebook) or visit the official home of Kentucky State Athletics at ksuthorobreds.com.