VICKSBURG, Miss. – Alcorn Softball improves to 6-2 on the season after back-to-back victories on the opening day of the River City Classic II. On Friday, Feb. 18, the Braves took down Alabama A&M, 6-5, and Jackson State, 9-6, inside the Alcorn Softball Complex.
In the first matchup, junior pitcher Kiri Parker (3-0) occupied the circle for the entire seven innings for five hits against and two earned runs (five total). The Vacherie, La., native issued five strikeouts with two walks in the 6-5 conquest of the Alabama A&M Bulldogs.
Offensively, Alcorn scored six runs on eight hits and three Bulldog errors. Amari Ramsey led her team at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one double, one triple, three RBIs, and one run. Tyesha Cole also had a 2-for-4 appearance, scoring two runners in the action.
On the mound for AAMU, Esperanza Coe (1-3) received her third season loss. The sophomore from Beaumont, Calif. pitched the complete game for eight hits against, six runs (four earned), four walks, and two strikeouts.
In game two, Brenn Ursin and A'Mya Stevens split time on the mound against JSU. Ursin (3-0) started the matchup to pitch 4.2 innings with seven hits against and three earned runs (four total). In the victory, the graduate student from Lutcher, La., walked four batters with one strikeout.
Stevens, a junior from Laurel, Miss., pitched the remaining 2.1 innings for three hits against and two earned runs. She also served two strikeouts and two walks for the save.
Cole led the Braves offense versus the Tigers. The Philadelphia, Miss. native tallied two hits on four plate appearances for two runs and two RBIs. Sarah Kennedy also had a successful outing with a 2-for-3 appearance for two RBIs.
On the opposing side, Macie Kuppenbender (2-2) took the loss on the mound for JSU. In just 0.2 innings, she had four hits against, three earned runs (five total), and three walks.
Victoria Salazar finished the game, pitching 5.1 innings for six hits against, three earned runs (four total), and two strikeouts.
Alcorn Softball returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 19, for day two of the River City Classic II. The Braves will see Alabama A&M in a rematch set for 11:30 a.m. before taking on Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m.
