LORMAN, Miss. –  The Alcorn State University softball program got the tying run to the plate in the first game but converted on its chances in the second one, losing 3-0 in the opener before rallying for a 3-2 victory in the series finale.
The Lady Braves (4-14, 2-5 SWAC) were unable to crack double-digit hits combined over the two games (9) but capitalized on some huge scoring chances in game two, using two separate go-ahead RBI singles in the fifth and sixth to complete the comeback.
Brenn Ursin and Kiri Parker both provided stellar complete game pitching performances as each tossed a seven-inning complete game, allowing four earned runs between the two of them plus five strikeouts. Parker picked up her first win of the season and second of her career in game two while Ursin was saddled with the tough luck loss.
Genise Wells was the lone Lady Brave with multiple RBIs, delivering the first go-ahead hit with a two-RBI single in the fifth before AAMU tied it up in the next half inning.
Amari Ramsey gets credited with driving in the winning run however, breaking a two-all tie with a hard liner to left field in the sixth to put the Purple and Gold up for good. Her and Desirea Lindsey were the only two Alcorn players to have a hit in each contest with Ramsey providing a double in game one.
Kelsey Lockridge cranked a double, Lindsey and Miracle Crosby each swiped second base once during the twinbill and Hannah Dukes went 1-for-1 with two walks in the first ballgame to highlight the other top statistical outings of the day.
Alabama A&M (8-11, 5-4 SWAC) got yet another dominating pitching display from Esperanza Coe, who shutout the Lady Braves in game one after holding them to one earned run on Friday as well. Coe provided her own run support once again at the dish, lacing an RBI double and a single in game one.
Serena Herbranson had a double, triple, an RBI and a run scored in the opener to account for the best offensive showing for the Lady Bulldogs on the afternoon.
Game 1 | L, 3-0
Game one was the Coe show for AAMU, as once Haleigh Winter drove in Ariel McAtee for the contest's first run in the opening frame, she took care of the rest.
Alabama A&M scored once in the third and fifth to make it three-nothing while Alcorn had three hits going into the final three outs.
The home nine showed grit and toughness with its backs against the wall in the seventh as Kiri Parker legged out an infield single while Dukes pushed one through the left side to bring the winning run to the plate with two down.
Fifth-year senior Alexsis Ramirez, who was honored in a ceremony during pregame, came on to pinch-hit for Wells and had her sights set on a storybook finish. Alas, it was not meant to be and the ladies from Huntsville escaped with a 3-0 series clinching win.
Game 2 | W, 3-2
Game three of the series followed a similar pattern as the second with both pitchers looking strong through four.
Neither side was able to put a run on the board until AAMU struck with one in the fifth as starters Kiri Parker and Alyssa Lopez surrendered just one hit over the first four frames.
A&M used small ball to its advantage to bring in the ballgame's first run in the Lady Bulldog half of the fifth, using a suicide squeeze by Taylor Woods to bring home Shalin Charles.
The bottom of the fifth saw Chloey Morgan become the first baserunner of the "nightcap" for Coach Rankin's squad, slapping a seeing-eye single the opposite way. Morgan would use her baserunning prowess to reach third courtesy of a tag-up on a long fly to center and an error by the catcher. Dukes would then get hit by a pitch, Crosby would steal second after pinch running for her and Wells made AAMU pay with a two-out, two-RBI single to claim the team's first lead of the series, 2-1.
The lead did not last long however as five batters into the Alabama A&M sixth things were tied at two when Charles singled up the middle to score Rachael McKinney.
The tie had an even shorter lifespan since Amari Ramsey plated Lindsey with an RBI single three hitters into the Lady Brave sixth to regain the edge at 3-2.
Kiri Parker would induce a weak pop up, a lineout and intentionally pitch around Esperanza Coe before eventually sealing the victory with a routine fly ball to left as Alcorn held on for a 3-2 win.
The split now leaves the all-time series history at 61-32 in favor of the Maroon and White.
The Purple and Gold will now embark on a six-game Mississippi road slate to MVSU and JSU before hosting its final homestand against Alabama State on April 30 and May 1.
#FearTheBrave
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