HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Alcorn State University softball program was one out away from victory Friday when Alabama A&M came back to snatch a 3-2 decision at Bulldog Field.
Alcorn (13-20, 9-7 SWAC) led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs and no runners on base, AAMU (20-17, 9-7 SWAC) garnered a double, a walk and a home run by Tamia-Lee Barbadillo to end the game.
"We just didn't do enough to win. Alabama A&M made a rally and we couldn't close the game out," said Alcorn head coach
Josef Rankin. "That's two weekends straight that we've lost on a walk-off. One thing about playing on the road is you have to score early and often, but it boils down to one thing – can we respond? Seasons have the peaks where you're excited about streaks and all that, but can you allow the valleys to make you better," Rankin said.
Alcorn out-hit the Lady Bulldogs 7-6. Seven different Lady Braves registered a hit. Sophomore
Amari Ramsey extended her hitting-streak to six games with a single to center in the first inning.
Alcorn got on the board in the third inning. Junior
Eva Scott led it off with a single to left, and advanced to second on a bunt by sophomore
Desirea Lindsey. After Scott stole third, she scored on an infield single by junior
Simone McKinney to go up 1-0.
The Lady Braves tacked on another in the fourth to lead 2-0. It came on back-to-back doubles by senior
Victoria Tyler and freshman
Sandrea Hord.
Junior
Ambria Dorsey was cruising along for nearly the entire game and was one out away from a complete-game shutout. Lisabelle Hansell picked up the win for AAMU after pitching all seven frames.
"Tomorrow is another opportunity for us. We will reset and get back at it," Rankin said.
The SWAC East Division title is still within reach for the Lady Braves. They must sweep tomorrow's doubleheader and have Mississippi Valley State beat Alabama State in a make-up game.
Alcorn will also be playing for its fourth consecutive winning season in conference tomorrow and is one win away. The doubleheader begins at 12 p.m.
#FearTheBrave
