Hughes Becomes All-Time Hits Leader at Alcorn on Day Two of LA Tech Tournament

RUSTON, La. – With three hits on the day, senior Taylor Hughes became the all-time hits leader at Alcorn State University, but the Lady Braves fell to South Dakota 10-1 and Missouri State 8-0 on Saturday in five inning games at the Lady Techster Softball Complex.
 
Hughes entered the match tied with Amber Steeves with 151 career hits for the school record. Hughes surpassed Steeves after going a combined three-for-five in two games Saturday. Steeves set the record in 2005-08, but Hughes is now up to 154 over her four years.

"Taylor is such an awesome player. It's truly a blessing to be her coach and I really mean that," said head coach Josef Rankin. "I am sure her mom and dad are very proud. I am extremely proud and she deserves as much attention as possible for what she accomplished today."
 
Additionally, Hughes raised her batting average to .444 and on-base percentage to .500 on the year.
 
The Lady Braves (1-9) mustered six hits in the first game against South Dakota (2-12). Their run came in the first inning when Hughes ripped an RBI single to right field to score freshman Desirea Lindsey who reached on an infield single and stole second.
 
Other hits in the contest came from junior Victoria Tyler and freshmen Malea Dickerson and Ashley Arnold.
 
Freshman Lindsey Eldridge got the start in the circle and struck out four in 4.0 innings. Junior Winter Ridgeway threw the final 2.0 frames in relief.
 
Dustie Durham pitched a complete-game for the Coyotes. Emily Winckler was two-for-three at the plate with a homer, two runs scored and three RBI.
 
In the second game, Hughes notched the only hit for Alcorn. It came in the fourth inning on a ball through the left side. Tyler also reached base twice with a pair of walks.
 
Junior Paige Taylor threw 3.2 innings and took the loss. Ridgeway made another appearance out of the bullpen and got the final out in the fourth.
 
Kelley Holly threw a one-hitter for the Lady Bears (8-5). Madison Jones was two-for-two at the plate with three RBI.

"The results aren't what we want right now, but we're showing flashes of some very good things. We have a young team that is learning to compete at this level. We are starting to understand how consistent you have to be to compete against South Dakota and Missouri State. Those are two very good programs," Rankin said.
 
The Lady Braves will close out the LA Tech Tournament on Sunday when they take on the host institution Louisiana Tech at 1 p.m.
 
Visiting the Tournament Central Page for updated scores from all games as well as links to live stats and live video.
 
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