Lady Braves Score Late but Fall Short in Tournament Opener

STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Alcorn State University softball program put a pair on the board in the final inning, but Sam Houston State held on for a 5-2 final Friday evening at Nusz Park.
 
Alcorn (1-10) trailed SHSU (5-11) 5-0 in the seventh when freshman Ashley Arnold singled up the middle and senior Mariah Ortiz was hit by a pitch. With two outs, junior Victoria Tyler doubled to center field to plate both runners and increase her hitting streak to three games. Though, the game ended in the next at-bat with a strikeout.
 
The Lady Braves had an opportunity at the plate in the fifth. After Ortiz walked and senior Taylor Hughes singled to left, the runners advanced to second and third with one out after a passed ball. However, SHSU's Annie Bailey was able to escape the threat after forcing back-to-back pop-ups.
 
Hughes, the reigning SWAC Hitter of the Week winner and new all-time career hits leader at Alcorn, reached base three times. In addition to her hit in the fifth, she also walked twice. She extended her hitting streak to nine games.
 
Freshman Amari Ramsey also had a good day at the plate as she reached base in all three of her at-bats. She drew a pair of walks and led-off the fourth with a double to left center.
 
Other hits in the game for the Lady Braves came in the third inning when both Ortiz and freshman Desirea Lindsey recorded singles.
 
"We are getting better. I really saw that today. The key is we have to come out tomorrow and continue to get better at what we are trying to do," said head coach Josef Rankin. "I'm very excited about where we are headed. It's more than just a win-loss record right now. We are learning to compete at this level and we're getting there."
 
The Lady Braves used their 11th different batting order in 11 games.
 
Senior Robin Harrison got the start in the circle and struck out a pair in 5.2 frames. Junior Winter Ridgeway recorded the final out in the sixth. Bailey was credited the win for SHSU after striking out five in 6.0 innings.
 
Bailey White hit a three-run homer for the Bearkats in the fourth inning. She was two-for-three at the plate.
 
It marked the first-ever meeting between Alcorn and SHSU.
 
The two teams will meet again tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. in a rematch. The Lady Braves will close out the evening at 7 p.m. against Lamar. Sunday's schedule begins at 9 a.m. with Alcorn going up against Mercer and concludes at 11:30 a.m. versus Lamar.
 
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