LORMAN, Miss. – The Alcorn State softball team (7-4) looks to put more victories in the win column as it travels to Hattiesburg, Miss., to participate in the Hub City Classic at the University of Southern Mississippi. The two-day tournament will see ASU face three opponents in four competitions.
The Braves will kick off the event on Friday, Feb. 25, against the Aces of Evansville (6-4) at 1 p.m. and host USM (8-4) at 7 p.m. On Saturday, ASU will take on USM in a second game at 3 p.m. and close the classic at 6 p.m. versus SIUE (3-7).
Alcorn will search for its first program win against Evansville on Friday. The Braves are 0-4 against the Aces, falling 10-1 during their last matchup in 2012.
Evansville is 6-4 with losses against Virginia Tech, Middle Tennessee State, and Alabama. The Aces' victories include two wins versus Southeastern Athletic Conference opponents. Evansville defeated Mississippi Valley State 14-0 and squeaked past Southern, 9-8.
Alcorn and Southern Miss have met 22 times, with the Golden Eagles leading the series 21-1. The teams last met in 2020 in Hattiesburg with a 6-2 and 9-1 doubleheader sweep for USM. The only time the Braves beat Southern Miss was 4-1 in 2009.
The Golden Eagles are 8-4 with losses versus Samford, North Alabama, and Jacksonville State. USM has faced two other SWAC competitors, defeating MVSU 2-1 and 5-3 and Southern 3-1 and 7-4 in doubleheader action.
The Braves have faced off against SIUE once in program history. Alcorn State fell 7-1 to the Cougars in 2020.
Alcorn Softball enters the Hub City Classic after a 3-2 outing at River City Classic II. The Braves defeated Alabama A&M twice in the three-day event, 6-5 and 9-0, and Jackson State, 9-6. In the two losses, ASU fell 3-2 against Eastern Illinois and North Alabama 6-3.
Kiri Parker leads the Braves in the circle. The Vacherie, La. native, has made four appearances with two starts for 15.1 innings pitched. The junior pitcher has a 1.83 ERA with 11 hits against, four earned runs (eight total), three walks, and seven strikeouts. Opponent batters see a .186 average against her.
At the plate, Marsha Hunt leads the Alcorn offense. The senior infielder has played and started in 10 games to maintain a .375 batting average with eight runs and 12 hits (five doubles and one triple) for 11 RBIs and a .594 slugging percentage.
Kristan Evans leads the team with seven stolen bases, and Desirea Lindsey leads the team with a .545 on-base percentage.
The Braves are in their sixth season with head coach Josef Rankin at the helm. Rankin holds a 74-143 record at Alcorn.
