Comeback Attempts Fall Short Saturday for Lady Braves

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Nearly pulling off a seven-run come-from-behind victory in game one, Alabama State rallied to top the Alcorn State University softball program in a wild 10-9 affair before holding off the Lady Braves in game two 11-8 Saturday at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
 
The Lady Braves (13-19, 9-6 SWAC) trailed 7-0 in the first game when they came all the way back to take an 8-7 lead. Though, it was the Hornets (19-20, 10-7 SWAC) who ultimately prevailed with a walk-off homer from Amira James in the seventh.
 
In game two, Alabama State scored six runs in the first inning to take control early, and extended the advantage to 10-1 after four innings. Alcorn rallied to score four runs in the fifth and three in the sixth to cut the deficit to 11-8, but couldn't complete the comeback.
 
"We can't afford to take for granted the focus and preparation needed to win an entire series. Yesterday's win was great, but that's not it. We've got a lot more work to do and we just have to understand that. Focus, focus, focus. From the very first pitch," said Alcorn head coach Josef Rankin.
 
In game one, senior Victoria Tyler and sophomore Amari Ramsey tallied two hits apiece. Ramsey also drove in four runs and scored one. McKinney reached base four times with a hit and three walks.
 
Alcorn trailed 7-0 in the fourth inning when junior Simone McKinney drew a bases loaded walked to get the team on the board. The Lady Braves trimmed it to 7-3 on a two-RBI double to center by Ramsey. Alcorn cut it to 7-6 after Tyler singled to drive in two runs, and one more came in on an error.
 
The Lady Braves tied the game on a bases loaded walk by junior Eva Scott, and took an 8-7 lead on a sacrifice fly to center by Ramsey.
 
The Hornets regained a 9-8 lead in the fifth on a two-run homer by James. It was her first of two home runs in the game.
 
In the seventh inning, the Lady Braves came back to tie it on a double to center by Ramsey. Alcorn was in position to take the lead with runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs, but ASU pitcher Charlene Castro got out of the jam, which included a play at home plate.
 
The home run by James in the bottom half came with one out and none on to end it.
 
Senior Paige Taylor, the reigning SWAC Pitcher of the Week winner, pitched the whole way but took the loss. She struck out four and walked just one in 6.1 frames.
 
In game two, the Lady Braves struck first with an RBI triple by Ramsey to right-center. It scored McKinney who reached on an error.
 
Though, the Hornets punched back with six runs in the bottom half on six hits to go up 6-1. They extended it to 10-1 with two runs in the third and two more in the fourth.
 
Alcorn got back in it with a four-run fifth inning to trail 10-5. A two-RBI double by sophomore Malea Dickerson was followed by RBIs from freshman Brooke Roach and Scott.
 
The Lady Braves scored three more in the sixth inning. Walks by junior Brittney Triplett and Ramsey got it started, and Tyler laced a double down the left field line to score the first run. Freshman Sandrea Hord plated two more with a hit to right field.
 
"Alabama State did a great job of swinging the bats today. You have to give them credit. We weren't as sharp with location and we got burned. Our offense did well to continue to fight and score runs. I was very happy with that, but we have to be better next weekend. I expect AAMU to be read to go next week and we need to elevate our game," Rankin said.
 
On the weekend, Ramsey hit for a .500 average and 1.083 slugging. She was 6-for-12 with four runs scored, seven RBIs, two doubles, a triple and a homer.
 
The Lady Braves are in a very tight race atop the SWAC East Division standings. They still control their own destiny for first-place and can win the division outright with a sweep over AAMU next weekend. Alcorn can also win the division by taking two out of three from AAMU, but would also need Alabama State to lose its one-game make-up to Mississippi Valley State.
 
Game one of Alcorn's series versus AAMU is slated for 3 p.m. Friday.
 
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