Lady Braves Defeat AAMU 10-4 to Win Seventh Consecutive Game

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The first-place Alcorn State University softball program extended its winning-streak to seven games Saturday with a 10-4 victory over Alabama A&M at Bulldog Field.
 
The Lady Braves (14-23, 11-2 SWAC) trailed 3-1 heading into the fifth inning when the bats came to life. They took the lead with four in the fifth, added on with two more in the sixth and pulled away with three in the seventh.
 
"Today was a good test in learning how to handle success. We did not respond well early to the energy Alabama A&M brought. Sometimes it's hard to understand what it takes when you are ahead in the standings, but that's something we can't focus on," said Alcorn head coach Josef Rankin. "We did well late in the game to get back to Alcorn softball. We are learning and I am very proud of how we responded to adversity."
 
Alcorn is now 4.5 games ahead of Alabama State in the SWAC East Division standings as the Hornets have the weekend off.
 
Junior Robin Harrison tossed her third consecutive complete-game. She picked up the win to move to 6-5 on the season. Harrison struck out three and allowed just two earned runs in seven innings.
 
At the plate, Alcorn was led by senior Sametria Collins who registered a three-for-three day with three runs scored, two walks and an RBI.
 
Seniors Montana Holyfield and Adriana Gutierrez, junior Mariah Ortiz and sophomore Victoria Tyler also recorded multi-hit outings. The Lady Braves outhit the Bulldogs (12-24, 5-7 SWAC) 14-10 in the contest.
 
With a double in the fifth inning, junior Taylor Hughes extended her on-base streak to 12 games and her hitting-streak to seven.
 
The Lady Braves struck first with a run in their first at-bat. Collins led-off the game with a walk, advanced to second on a ground out and scored on an RBI single to left field by junior Jessica Crum.
 
After AAMU scored one in the first and two in the second, the Lady Braves put together a four-hit, four-run rally in the fifth. RBI doubles by Ortiz and Hughes with one out tied the game. Alcorn took the lead on a two-run error by the right fielder after Holyfield knocked a hit in that direction.
 
In the sixth frame, the Lady Braves had runners on first and third after hits by Gutierrez and Collins. Alcorn executed a double-steal play with the runner from first drawing a throw, and Gutierrez stole home. Ortiz followed with a single to center which plated Collins and made it a 7-3 game.
 
The Lady Braves added three insurance runs in the seventh. Sanders got it started with a double to right field and moved to third on a passed ball. She scored in a hit to the left by Tyler. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Gutierrez and Collins increased the edge to 10-3.
 
Imani Largin started in the circle for AAMU but took the loss after giving up five earned runs and 10 hits in 5.1 innings. Rachel Sanders threw the last 1.2 innings and surrendered three runs.
 
"Robin battled. Our hitters battled. Our defense tightened up. Overall, it was a great win," Rankin said. "Now we have to come out tomorrow and take advantage of two more opportunities."
 
Alcorn and AAMU will conclude the series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon. The games will be streamed live for free on the SWAC Digital Network.
 
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