LORMAN, Miss. – In a showdown between the two first-place teams in the SWAC standings, Texas Southern grabbed a 4-0 decision before the Alcorn State University softball program responded with a big come-from-behind 4-3 victory in game two of the doubleheader Thursday at the Alcorn Softball Complex.
Alcorn (14-32, 11-6 SWAC) trailed 3-0 in the fifth inning of game two when the opportunities started to arise. TSU (21-16-1, 12-5 SWAC) opened the door with two errors to begin the frame. Both runners moved up a base on a passed ball, and a single up the middle by freshman
Desirea Lindsey made it a 3-1 game. Senior
Taylor Hughes then tied it 3-3 with a laser to center.
The score remained the same until the seventh when freshman
Amari Ramsey ripped a double to left center to lead it off. Ramsey advanced to third on a bunt single by Lindsey. With one out, Tyler laced a hit through the left side to end the game.
"We've talked about it before, once the opportunities come it's just about getting the big hit or making the big play. In the inning where we scored three runs,
Ambria Dorsey started it off, and even though it was an error, she got on base. That created a spark for us and we keep teaching this team to keep fighting so that when the opportunities come somebody can come up with the big hit and make something happen for us," said head coach
Josef Rankin.
Tyler's walk-off was her third hit of the game. She also doubled down the left field line in the first inning and singled to left in the fourth. It marked her second three-hit outing and 12th multi-hit game of the year.
"Victoria isn't thinking as much at the plate and has just made it simple. It's been good for her, and now she's really hitting. I'm very proud of her because she works extremely hard, and she deserves to have good stuff happen for her out there."
Also with multi-hit games, Ramsey and Lindsey registered two hits apiece.
In the circle, junior
Paige Taylor got the start and received a no-decision after lasting 2.1 innings. Senior
Robin Harrison earned the win after coming up big with 4.2 shutout innings. The Lady Braves also did not commit an error in game two.
"We did well defensively and pitching, being able to strand runners out there. We got the outs when we needed them. Paige gave us a couple innings and then Robin came in and did a great job, but we're going to do whatever it takes to win. It doesn't matter if you contribute a couple innings or just one at-bat, we have to do whatever we can to win a game," Rankin said.
Jasmine Youngthunder took the loss for TSU after throwing the last 2.1 frames. Jasmin Fulmore started and gave up one earned run in 4.0 innings in a no-decision. Ebony Wiltz led the team at the plate with three hits.
In game one, TSU's Lauren Rodriguez allowed just one hit in 6.0 innings to get the win.
The hit was a double freshman
Ashley Arnold which setup Alcorn's best chance in the fifth inning. The Lady Braves trailed 1-0 when they placed runners on second and third with one out, but Rodriguez was able to get out of it with a strikeout and a popup.
The Tigers added three insurance runs in the seventh on five hits.
Dorsey got the start and nearly went the distance as she struck out four in 6.1 innings. She gave up just two earned runs. Junior
Winter Ridgeway got the final two outs in relief.
With a stolen base in game one, Ramsey is now a perfect 15-for-15 in attempts this year.
Both Alcorn and TSU are leading their respective divisions. The Lady Braves have a narrow 0.5 game lead over Alabama A&M and a one game lead over Alabama State in the SWAC East Division. The Tigers hold a one game lead over both Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Prairie View A&M in the SWAC West Division.
"Games like these are good for us. Especially with the conference tournament next week, we have to be able to grind out games and come back from deficits. Hopefully can send our seniors out on a high note tomorrow in their final regular season game," Rankin said.
Before the first game, the Lady Braves held a ceremony for Hughes and awarded her an honorary ball for becoming the all-time leader in career hits at Alcorn. She's up to 184 hits and is also the school's leader in career doubles with 34. The ball was given by 2017 senior and fellow Arizona native
Adriana Gutierrez.
Alcorn and TSU will close out the regular season Friday with a 1 p.m. first pitch. The Lady Braves will honor seniors
Mariah Ortiz, Harrison and Hughes with a Senior Day ceremony at 12:15 p.m.
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