USM Tops Alcorn in Tuesday Doubleheader

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Alcorn State University softball program dropped a pair of games, 7-0 and 7-2 to Southern Miss on Tuesday at the USM Softball Complex.
 
The Lady Braves (2-10) scatted five hits over the two contests. Both of Alcorn's runs came in the seventh inning of game two as freshman Sandrea Hord registered an RBI double, and sophomore Desirea Lindsey an RBI single. The inning got-going with a one-out walk by junior Alexsis Ramirez.
 
Alcorn has now outscored the opposition 6-1 in the seventh inning this year.
 
"Overall, the result wasn't what you want, but I believe our team made some strides in certain areas. USM swings it well. We made a few mistakes out over the plate and they got us. Paige and Ambria did well competing. Alexsis Ramirez had an awesome at-bat that sparked a rally there in the last inning, that was great," said Alcorn head coach Josef Rankin.
 
Senior Paige Taylor and junior Ambria Dorsey each tossed compete games. Taylor started game one and struck out a pair, while Dorsey fanned three batters in game two.
 
Other hits in the doubleheader came from juniors Brittney Triplett and Keelee Huff, and senior Victoria Tyler. Huff reached base twice in game one with a hit and a walk, and Hord did the same in game two.
 
Alcorn committed just three errors in two games.
 
"Our defense was better today. You just want to continue to get better. I thought all phases of our game improved for the most part. We didn't have much to show for it offensively, but we hit some balls extremely hard right at them," Rankin said.
 
USM (13-10) tallied 11 hits in game one and seven in game two. Alyssa Davis went a combined 4-for-6 with five RBIs and two runs scored. A home run by Sarah Van Schaik in the fifth inning of game one was the first allowed in Taylor's career at Alcorn.
 
"One area we have to continue to improve is the ability to be invested in my teammates as much if not more than myself. We seemed to be getting there, but we aren't all there just yet. The lineup card or my personal success can't determine how much energy I put into the game or my teammate. It's bigger than me. That's a concept we will continue to work on," Rankin said.
 
It was Alcorn's first games in 13 days after a weather cancelation and a break for mid-terms.
 
"I am looking forward to tomorrow for us to get back to work and attack our plan for this weekend," Rankin said.
 
Alcorn will begin conference play Friday at home when it hosts Prairie View A&M at 3 p.m. at the Alcorn Softball Complex. The Lady Braves will begin their quest for a third consecutive SWAC East Division title.
 
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