MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A home run by sophomore
Amari Ramsey fueled a big seventh inning for the Alcorn State University softball program as the Lady Braves defeated Alabama State 7-5 on Friday at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
The game was tied 4-4 with one out with Ramsey blasted the game-winner on a shot over the right field fence. Alcorn (13-17, 9-4 SWAC) added one more on back-to-back doubles by senior
Victoria Tyler and freshman
Brooke Roach to lead 7-4.
The Hornets (17-20, 8-7 SWAC), who were picked to win the division in the SWAC preseason poll, didn't go down quietly though in the seventh. They scored one run to trail 7-5 and had runners on first and second with one out. Senior
Paige Taylor, the reigning SWAC Pitcher of the Week winner, entered in relief and recorded a pop up for the second out. After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Taylor forced a ground out to second to end the game and pick up a save.
Alcorn has now outscored the opposition 21-6 in the seventh inning this year.
"Great effort today. I am extremely proud of our team. The start of the day was a little challenging when we got to the field. The weather had us starting and stopping a few times with warming up and sometimes that can throw you out of whack, but these young ladies stayed focused and played well," said Alcorn head coach
Josef Rankin.
Junior
Ambria Dorsey started the game and struck out five batters with zero walks in 6.1 innings to tally the win. She out-dueled Alabama State's Justine Jean who also lasted 6.1 frames but took the loss.
"We came up with some big hits and took advantage of some extra opportunities. Alabama State is a good team. Justine Jean is tough. She's been tough for three years. I was very pleased with our at-bats today," Rankin said.
Ramsey finished 3-for-4 at the plate for her seventh multi-hit game and third three-hit outing of the season. Roach and junior
Simone McKinney delivered two hits apiece.
Alabama State got on the board first with two runs in the third inning to lead 2-0. It came on a two-RBI single by Charlene Castro.
The Lady Braves responded with a big fourth inning. It got started with a triple by Roach to left field. Sophomore
Malea Dickerson plated her on a grounder to short and reached base safely on an error. A single by junior
Keelee Huff moved her to second, and an RBI double to right by junior
Eva Scott tied it 2-2.
Still in the inning, Alcorn took the lead 3-2 on an RBI hit by junior
Brittney Triplett. The Lady Braves tacked on another on an infield single by McKinney to go up 4-2.
The Hornets tied it 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth. It came on an RBI double by Aimee Felices and an RBI triple by Alexis Sydnor.
The game remained scoreless until the seventh inning when Ramsey hit the go-ahead shot. Ramsey's homer was the ninth of her career, which moves her into a tie for eighth all-time in the school record book with Adrianna Harrington (2008-10).
"Ambria and Paige continue to do a great job for us, and our defense really made some timely plays. We have to finish the task tomorrow. We have to match the intensity they will have. It's their Senior Day. We respect their seniors and the investment they have made, but we have got to work hard to make tomorrow about us and winning the series," Rankin said.
Alcorn has now won 9 of the last 10 conference games. With Alabama A&M's loss to Mississippi Valley State tonight, the Lady Braves are alone in first-place in the SWAC East Division by one game. AAMU and MVSU play a doubleheader tomorrow.
The Lady Braves have won six of the last seven against Alabama State. The two teams will conclude the series Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
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