Softball | 4/25/2019 9:38:00 AM

Alcorn Concludes Regular Season with Crucial Series at Alabama A&M

Alcorn Game Notes | Live Stats

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – With the SWAC East Division title within reach, the Alcorn State University softball program will wrap-up the regular season with a three-game series at Alabama A&M beginning Friday at 3 p.m. at Bulldog Field.
 
"First of all, we have to send our thoughts and prayers to the LA Tech softball program and the entire Ruston community. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes devastating things to help us gain perspective and what's really important. We were just in Ruston a month ago and that community was great to us," said Alcorn head coach Josef Rankin. "I pray they are able to recover and come back stronger. We are definitely willing to send supplies or labor or whatever else they need to get back up."
 
The Lady Braves (13-19, 9-6 SWAC) can win the SWAC East Division outright by sweeping AAMU (19-17, 8-7 SWAC). They'd secure at least the No. 2 seed in the East and possibly the No. 1 seed if it wins two out of three.
 
Alcorn needs one more to win tally its fourth consecutive winning season in conference, which has never been done before in program history.
 
Heading into the weekend, Alabama State is 10-7 SWAC and needs to make up one game against Mississippi Valley State. The Hornets have the tiebreaker over the Lady Braves. Though, even if Alabama State beats MVSU, Alcorn would clinch the division with a sweep.
 
The Lady Braves are 7-2 against AAMU over the last three seasons and have won each of the last three series. Last year, Alcorn swept AAMU in Lorman.
 
Alcorn is 44-24 SWAC over the last four seasons, 33-18 SWAC over the last three seasons and 20-13 SWAC over the last two seasons; all marks are best in the SWAC East Division.
 
"Now, it seems a little strange to talk about playing softball, but for the sake of a preview, I guess we have to. We know what's ahead of us this weekend. It has to be about winning the games before us. We are going into an environment that won't be that inviting, but we need to have great focus and go compete like crazy," Rankin said.
 
Senior Paige Taylor is a three-time SWAC Pitcher of the Week winner this year. She leads the staff with a 9-8 record and 3.41 ERA on the season in 102.2 innings. In conference play, Taylor hoists a 6-2 record and 2.96 ERA with just seven walks in 52.0 innings.
 
Junior Simone McKinney carries a team-high .330 batting average including a .396 mark in conference. She's submitted eight multi-hit games including a pair of four-hit outings.
 
In conference play, sophomore Amari Ramsey leads the team with a .400 batting average and .760 slugging. She's ripped eight doubles, two triples, two homers and 16 RBIs in 15 games.
 
The Lady Braves have five hitters batting above .300 in conference. In addition to Ramsey and McKinney, freshman Brooke Roach is hitting .343, sophomore Desirea Lindsey .317 and junior Eva Scott .304.
 
"As a team, we've set our goals and one of them is right here for us to take, but our play has to match that desire. If we really want it as bad as we say, then that should be evident tomorrow and Saturday – relentless effort! Go compete and have fun while doing it," Rankin said.
 
Alcorn has outscored the opposition 22-7 in the seventh inning this year.
 
In the career record book, junior Ambria Dorsey ranks eighth in strikeouts (130), eighth in innings pitched (218.0) and 10th in starts (34). Fellow pitcher Taylor is tied for fourth all-time in shutouts (4) and ninth in wins (12). Hitting-wise, senior Victoria Tyler is sixth in RBIs (76), ninth in doubles (20) and 12th in hits (114). Ramsey sits in eighth in homers (9).
 
AAMU has had an up-and-down season. Two weeks ago, the Bulldogs pulled off a big three-game sweep over Alabama State on the road. However last weekend, AAMU was swept by MVSU. The Bulldogs have non-conference wins over Savannah State, Dayton, North Carolina A&T and Rider.
 
Tamia Lee-Barbadillo is one of the league's top power hitters with 10 homers and 27 RBIs. She's hitting for a .365 average and .713 slugging. Danielle Hansell is also a threat in the lineup with a .364 average, 12 doubles, three homers and a .576 slugging.
 
In the circle, Lisabelle Hansell is 7-4 with a 5.08 ERA in 79.2 innings, while Lauren Hayden is 6-8 with a 5.40 ERA in 86.2 innings.
 
Saturday is Senior Day for the Bulldogs. The doubleheader begins at 12 p.m.
 
#FearTheBrave