Softball | 3/21/2019 9:46:00 AM

Alcorn Hits the Road for Rare Conference Series at GSU

Alcorn Game Notes | Live Stats

GRAMBLING, La. – For the first time in 15 years, the Alcorn State University softball program will play a series at Grambling State as the two teams will kick it off Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a noon doubleheader Saturday at the GSU Softball Complex.
 
It's the first time Alcorn (2-14, 0-3 SWAC) will travel to GSU (12-9, 0-3 SWAC) for a series since 2004. The two teams squared off two years ago in Lorman, with the Lady Braves sweeping the three-game set. Prior to 2016, the SWAC held Round-Ups where the East and West Division teams played each other on neutral grounds.
 
"It's got to be about us this weekend," Rankin said. "We have to work hard to get back on track. We have not played consistently to our standard thus far and tomorrow is an opportunity for us to get rolling."
 
Alcorn opened conference play last weekend against Prairie View A&M. Junior Simone McKinney batted for a .545 average with six hits in 11 at-bats. It included a 4-for-5 performance in game three. Junior Alexsis Ramirez was inserted into the starting lineup and posted a .500 average on the weekend including a game-tying RBI single in the seventh inning of game three to send it to extra innings.
 
Alcorn has outscored the opposition 10-2 in the seventh inning this year.
 
"We need to do a great job of staying within ourselves. Play defense at a high level. Execution on offense needs to be at a high level. Heck, the way we stretch needs to be at a high level. We need more 'juice' in the dugout. Just find a way to elevate," Rankin said. "We have the power to change the narrative."

Senior Paige Taylor has thrown a team-high 56.2 innings. She carries a 4.08 ERA with a pair of wins. Junior Ambria Dorsey has tossed 46.1 innings with 27 strikeouts. Ramirez made her first career appearance in the circle Tuesday against Southeastern Louisiana and allowed just one earned run in 2.0 frames.
 
Senior Victoria Tyler ranks 12th all-time in Alcorn history with 108 hits. She also ranks seventh all-time in school history with 70 RBI's, and is approaching the top-10 list in doubles with 17.
 
On the season, Triplett and Tyler all hit for a .333 batting average. Tyler carries team-highs in on-base percentage (.490) and slugging (.410). Triplett has a team-high five multi-hit games on the season.
 
Alcorn has used 14 different batting orders in 16 games this year. On Tuesday against SLU, freshman Brooke Roach made her first career appearance in the lineup and went 1-for-3 with a double.
 
GSU is 12-9 overall with non-conference wins over Howard 5-3 and Presbyterian 2-1. The Tigers are coming off a doubleheader sweep at Texas College 15-2 and 13-1.
 
GSU dropped a three-game set at Alabama State last weekend 2-1, 5-3 and 12-0. Rikkelle Miller leads the team at the plate with a .467 average, .850 slugging, six doubles, five homers and 30 RBIs.
 
The Lady Braves are 27-16 all-time against GSU and 3-1 under head coach Josef Rankin.
 
#FearTheBrave