Lady Braves Fall to UTM, UAB to Begin Alex Wilcox Memorial

STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Alcorn State University softball program couldn't get the bats going Friday and dropped games to UT-Martin 9-0 and UAB 6-0 in the first of three days at the Alex Wilcox Memorial, hosted by Mississippi State at Nusz Park.
 
"Today had its moments. In the first game, it's 0-0 heading into the fifth and 1-0 heading into the fifth in game two. We had Ambria [Dorsey] and Brenn [Ursin] on a pitch count. They both did a great job of competing. Ambria wasn't sharp, but she competed and executed pitches when she needed to escape trouble. Brenn was much sharper today. Alexsis [Ramirez] did her job coming in. She got the ground balls we needed, but we didn't do what we needed to behind her and that's disappointing," said Alcorn head coach Josef Rankin.
 
At the plate, senior Alexsis Ramirez and junior Malea Dickerson tallied a hit in each game.
 
In game one, it was a pitcher's duel for most of the way as senior Ambria Dorsey had a shutout going through four innings. She got out of a couple jams and held UTM down until the fifth inning when the Skyhawks scored two runs, one unearned.
 
Dorsey threw 5.0 frames. UTM broke it open with four runs in the sixth and three in the seventh.
 
Alcorn's best chance to score came in the sixth inning. Junior Desirea Lindsey walked and advanced to third on a hit by senior Brittney Triplett. Though with runners on the corners and two outs, UTM reliever Layne Seeley recorded a strikeout to end the inning.
 
"We aren't doing a very good job of finishing. We made a couple mistakes, but there is too much 'woe is me' after the mistake. Who cares! Don't pout! Move on and execute the next play. Too many thermometers right now allowing the environment to dictate our energy and attitude. Just play the game! Play it with great enthusiasm no matter what happens," Rankin said.
 
In game two, sophomore Brenn Ursin tossed 5.0 innings and struck out a pair. Alcorn garnered hits from Dickerson, Ramirez, Lindsey and freshman Kelsey Lockridge.
 
It was a tight game until the fifth when UAB plated four runs to take a 5-0 lead. The Blazers tacked on one more in the seventh.
 
"There isn't a secret to this. Like I told the team – play better. That's the bottom line – if you want to beat these teams – just play better and compete! The early schedule just does not forgive, but if we learn from these games – we will be fine in the long run," Rankin said.
 
The Lady Braves will look to bounce back Saturday when it rematches UTM at 10 a.m. before squaring off against the host Mississippi State at 5:30 p.m. in a game streamed for free on ESPN3.
 
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