GULFPORT, Miss. –  The Alcorn State University softball program enacted revenge on the West's top seed (Texas Southern) in 10 innings (6-5) before dispatching the East favorite Jackson State, 8-3.
The Lady Braves (13-17, 8-7 SWAC) used the magic of its rally pinata "David" to will its way to victory in an instant classic during its 10-inning rumble with Texas Southern. It had little trouble in sending its biggest rivals from Jackson packing in the nightcap, storming to a 7-1 lead which it never relinquished.
In game one versus TSU, Ambria Dorsey pitched what Head Coach Josef Rankin called "the best pitching performance I have experienced firsthand,". The fifth-year senior from Phoenix went the distance for a career-best ten innings, earning the victory by allowing just two earned runs spread out over ten hits to go along with three whiffs and two free passes. In the process, Dorsey moved into fifth-place on Alcorn's career wins list at 19 and 10th in program history for complete games with 26.
Marsha Hunt was the top hitter on the day as she bat .444 with four hits, three of which were doubles while driving in three runs. In the contest against Jackson State alone, the first baseman had her first career three-hit outing with each going for two bases.
Ashley Arnold and Miracle Crosby were not far behind Hunt, both notching three hits in seven at-bats as well as combining for three runs scored on the bases.
Desirea Lindsey hit .375 and piled up a bunch of threes in her stat sheet; three hits, three runs, three putouts and a three-bagger (triple). The Gulfport native sits just one hit shy of recording her 100th hit in a Lady Brave uniform with the possibility of doing it in her hometown.
Kiri Parker saved her best outing of the season for the biggest moment, holding a potent Jackson State offense to three runs and a batting average against of .241 during a complete game effort to go along with a season-high five punchouts.
Amari Ramsey might have only had two hits but she contributed in different avenues, making several diving stops at the hot corner, launching a solo home run versus TSU and scoring three times. Ramsey continued to add to her legendary Alcorn resume, scoring her 84th career run scored for the Purple and Gold to ascend to sixth on program's leaderboard.
Finally, the ultimate example of being a team player and helping the team at all costs came in the form of Chloey Morgan. The former Mississippi State Lady Bulldog had one hit in ten plate appearances but was still capable of crossing the plate a team-best four times over 17 frames.
Alcorn will now face the fourth seed from the West in Southern University with a trip to the title game on the line. First pitch will take place at 10 a.m. inside the Gulfport Sportsplex.
#FearTheBrave
