HATTIESBURG, Miss. – A gritty effort came just short, 5-3 in game one of the opening day doubleheader for the Alcorn State University softball program at Southern Miss before the Lady Braves dropped an 18-0 decision in game two at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
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"There were some good and bad things. We really had some positives. The scores may not show that, but overall that's not the brand of softball we're aiming to play. USM is an outstanding team and I have to do a better job of coaching and that's the bottom line," said Alcorn head coach
Josef Rankin. "The key for us is to take the lessons and, to be blunt, the embarrassment and work to be better. We will be better."
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In game one, Alcorn (0-2) came out swinging and took a 3-0 lead in the second inning after a three-run bomb over the left field fence by freshman
Amari Ramsey. It plated junior
Victoria Tyler who singled to left center and senior
Robin Harrison who reached on a fielder's choice. It was Ramsey's first collegiate at-bat.
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The Lady Braves led until the bottom of the fourth inning when USM (2-4) scored four runs to take a 5-3 lead.
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Harrison tossed all six innings in the circle. She struck out three and walked just one. At the plate, Harrison also notched a base hit through the left side in the sixth inning.
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Alcorn tallied five hits in the game. Two of them came in the fourth inning when freshman
Malea Dickerson reached on an infield single and sophomore
Alicia Hill knocked one to right center.
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In game two, senior
Mariah Ortiz registered the lone hit for Alcorn with a leadoff single through the left side to start the game.
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The Lady Braves used four different pitchers including sophomore
Ambria Dorsey who tossed a scoreless fifth frame.
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Alcorn will be in action again Thursday when it takes on Kentucky State in a 5:15 p.m. doubleheader at Vicksburg High School. The Lady Braves will play at the Alcorn Softball Complex on Saturday when they host Rust College in a noon doubleheader.
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