Alabama State left Friday night’s NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional matchup with plenty to process, but not a shortage of belief.

The Hornets’ 21-3 loss to Alabama told one story. But head coach Jose Vazquez saw another—one rooted less in the opponent and more in missed execution at critical moments.

“Alabama has a really good team,” Vazquez said after the game. “But for us to be in that ballgame and have an opportunity to beat them, we just have to be better.”

Alabama State competed early before miscues

For a brief stretch, Alabama State showed it could be.

After Miguel Oropeza’s home run trimmed the deficit to 3-2, the Hornets had momentum—and a chance to steady the game. Instead, defensive miscues and uncharacteristic mistakes opened the door for Alabama to break things wide open.

“We were hoping to put up a zero right there,” Vazquez said. “We just needed to make plays. Very uncharacteristic of our team.”

On the night, Alabama State committed four errors, which extended innings and led to multiple Crimson Tide runs.

 

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“When you’re playing teams like this, you’ve got to play clean baseball to give yourself a chance,” he said. “We didn’t do that.”

Still, the Hornets’ message after the loss was not about panic—it was about perspective.

Despite the scoreline, Vazquez emphasized that a loss is a loss, whether by one run or 18. What matters now is how Alabama State responds.

“We’re better than that,” he said. “We’ve faced adversity all year. Tomorrow is just another game.”

That mindset is anchored in belief—both in the team’s resilience and in the unpredictability of baseball itself.

“Baseball is a weird game,” Vazquez added. “I’ve seen teams do it. I believe in my guys.”

For Oropeza, the SWAC Baseball Tournament MVP, that belief has been built over months of work. His home run provided one of the few bright moments Friday, but his focus remains on the bigger picture.

“We’ve been working hard since the beginning,” Oropeza said. “In the field, in the weight room, in the classroom—everywhere. That hard work has paid off.”

Now, it faces its next test.

Alabama State turns the page quickly, preparing for an elimination matchup against Oklahoma State at 2 p.m ET.

“We’re not done,” he said. “We’re going to come out, compete, and battle.”