Lady Braves Dominate in Sweep over JSU

LORMAN, Miss. - The Alcorn State University softball program swept a SWAC opponent for the second time this season Saturday as it topped Jackson State University 9-1 and 6-3 in a doubleheader at the Alcorn Softball Complex.

"We played much better this weekend," said Alcorn head softball coach Josef Rankin. "The energy level and the effort was much better than a week ago."

Game 1 - Alcorn 9, JSU 1 (5 inn.) 

Junior Madi Creed tossed her eighth complete game as the Lady Braves knocked off the Lady Tigers 9-1 in the first game of the day.

Creed scattered seven hits and struck out seven, matching a career high.

Junior first baseman Taylor Hughes finished 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and a season-high five RBIs.

After JSU scratched its lone run of the contest in the top of the first inning, Hughes' first double plated two runners to put Alcorn ahead 2-1.

Hughes singled in the bottom of the third, scoring two runners again. Junior Jessica Crum then followed with a double down the left-field line that sent Hughes home and made the count 5-1.

The Lady Braves added another insurance run on an RBI groundout from senior outfielder Montana Holyfield.

Senior outfielder Adriana Gutierrez scored in the fourth inning on a groundout by junior outfielder Mariah Ortiz. Hughes then doubled down the left-field line, scoring senior infielder Sametria Collins and putting Alcorn ahead 9-1. 

JSU managed to load the bases in the top of the fifth, but Creed struck out Cheyenne Aplon looking to conclude the game. 

Game 2 - Alcorn 6, JSU 3

Freshman Ambria Dorsey went the distance in the circle in game two as she allowed seven hits and three runs (one earned) and struck out two. Dorsey boasts a stellar 0.60 ERA in league play.

Crum and Ortiz each finished with multiple RBIs. 

Alcorn (10-23, 7-2 SWAC) jumped on the Lady Tigers (9-26, 2-7 SWAC) early, notching three runs in the first frame thanks to a two-RBI double from Crum and an error on JSU left fielder Tisha Lane.

Dorsey retired the first six batters she faced. The Lady Braves gave her additional breathing room in the second when Gutierrez advanced home on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 4-0.

The Lady Tigers scored their first run in the third on a single to right field after stringing together two singles before that.

Gutierrez singled to center and Collins grounded out to the shortstop to commence the fourth. Ortiz then hit her first career homer in style, rounding the bases on a gapper to the right-center field fence.

JSU pushed two runs across in the sixth inning. After a single in the seventh, Dorsey clamped down and retired the next three batters.

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Creed, Dorsey and junior Robin Harrison each posted complete games in the circle in the series sweep. 

"That should help their confidence. They've done a great job especially within SWAC play. We had a little hiccup last weekend, but they've really been competing and hopefully we can keep it going," said Rankin. 

Alcorn returns to action next weekend in a highly anticipated matchup with preseason favorite Alabama State University in Montgomery. 

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