Alcorn Beats Jarvis Christian, Falls to SIU-Edwardsville at River City Classic

VICKSBURG, Miss. – The Alcorn State University softball program took down Jarvis Christian 14-6 in six innings before dropping a 7-1 decision to SIU-Edwardsville on a cold Friday at Sports Force Parks.
 
Junior Ashley Arnold turned in a big day at the plate as she went a combined 4-for-7 with four RBI's and two runs scored. She tallied multi-hit games in both contests.
 
Alcorn outhit both JCC (3-3) and SIUE (2-0).  
 
The Lady Braves (4-5) used four different pitchers on the day. Freshman Kiri Parker earned a win in game one. Senior Ambria Dorsey threw a complete-game in game two.
 
Game One
The Lady Braves followed suit from Thursday's wins over Kentucky State by using a big inning offensively to set the tone against JCC. After the Bulldogs scored two runs in the first inning, the Lady Braves took control with seven runs in the second to lead 7-2.
 
Junior Lindsey Eldridge made her first appearance in the circle since 2018 after missing all of last year due to injury. She got the start before Parker tossed 5.0 innings of relief. Sophomore Brenn Ursin recorded the final two outs, both on strikeouts.
 
"The first game against Jarvis just seemed really strange, but we got another win. It was good for Lindsey to get out. It's been nearly 18 months and we just really wanted to get her out there in a game situation. I was proud of her," said Alcorn head coach Josef Rankin. "Kiri did a great job of coming in and giving us some innings and getting a win. Brenn really did a nice nob of ending a rally in the sixth. I thought we had some really good at-bats in that game."
 
Alcorn's explosive second inning saw Arnold come to the plate with one out and the bases loaded. She delivered a hard-hit liner into the gap in right center for a two-RBI double to tie the game 2-2. The frame also featured RBIs by senior Simone McKinney, junior Desirea Lindsey and freshman Kelsey Lockridge.
 
The Lady Braves tacked on another run in the third inning. Senior Brittney Triplett led it off with a bunt single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch.
 
Alcorn kept it going in the fourth with an RBI double to center by junior Amari Ramsey. It plated Lindsey who walked and stole second. The Lady Braves led 9-4 at that point.
 
In the fifth, Triplett singled up the middle and advanced to third on a groundout. She scored on an RBI grounder by Arnold. With two outs, McKinney reached on an infield single and stole both second and third. She scored on an RBI double down the left field line by Ramsey.
 
Alcorn applied the mercy-rule in the sixth inning. An RBI double by senior Keelee Huff was the first blow. Then with runners on first and third, the Lady Braves scored one run on a double-steal play and another on an error to end it.
 
The Lady Braves outhit the Bulldogs 12-7. Lindsey and Ramsey were both 2-for-2, while Triplett was 3-for-3 with a walk and four runs scored. Arnold finished 2-for-4 with three RBI's and two runs scored.
 
Game Two
The Lady Braves outhit the Cougars 7-6, but SIUE was able to bunch its hits together and take advantage of their opportunities when they presented themselves.
 
Both team's pitchers went the distance for a full 7.0 innings. Kennedy Lehn grabbed the win after striking out eight, while Dorsey took the loss.
 
"Game two was ok. There were some good things in that loss. I thought Ambria pitched well. We are still learning how to pitch in situations where we have a base to work with. We will get better at that," Rankin said.
 
McKinney, Arnold and sophomore Sandrea Hord all registered two hits.
 
"I thought we made some adjustments after the first inning and started to square up some balls offensively. Sandrea and Ashley had some really good at-bats," Rankin said.
 
Alcorn's run came in the seventh inning. It came on a two out single by Arnold to score junior Teona Bowles who was pitch running for Huff.
 
"I really like the effort we gave out there. Mo [Malea Dickerson] was so close on two diving catches and Kelsey did a great job at first," Rankin said.
 
The Lady Braves were within striking distance for most of the game as SIUE scored one run in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings. They just couldn't get the timely hit. It wasn't until a three-run seventh inning that the Cougars created separation.
 
"We look like we are getting better and that's what we are asking for," Rankin said.
 
Alcorn will continue the River City Classic with two more games on Saturday. It begins with a 1:30 p.m. game against Miles College, followed by a 4 p.m. non-conference game versus Southern.
 
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