STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Alcorn State softball team fell short on the opening day of the Bulldog Invitational Saturday, dropping competitions against Jacksonville State University and the host Mississippi State University. The Braves fell 5-2 to the Gamecocks in the day's first game and lost to the Bulldogs 10-2 later that evening.
In game one, Brenn Ursin (2-4) took the loss in the circle, starting the game to pitch 4.1 innings. The Lutcher, La. native faced 22 batters for six hits against, five earned runs, and two walks. Ta'Niyah Fletcher entered the game in the fifth to close, pitching 1.2 innings for one hit against.
At the plate, several Braves connected for hits. Kelsey Lockridge pinch hit for a home run and two RBIs, Hannah Dukes had a double, and Chloey Morgan and Genise Wells had one single each. The team tallied two runs on four hits with two errors as a squad.
Sarah Currie (2-1) pitched the complete game for the Gamecocks to get the circle victory. She faced 26 batters for four hits against, two earned runs, two walks, and nine strikeouts.
Offensively, Jacksonville State recorded five runs on seven hits. Chaney Phillips and Megan Fortner led the team with two hits each, and Hannah Buffington led the team with three RBIs.
Against the Bulldogs, Kiri Parker (3-2) recorded her second pitching loss of the season. The junior from Vacherie, La. pitched 2.0 innings for six hits against, seven runs (none earned), and two walks. Fletcher made her second pitching appearance of the day to pitch 2.0 innings with three hits against, three earned runs, two walks, and one strikeout.
The Braves' two runs were paired with five hits and an error. Parker played dual roles in the contest to lead Alcorn at the plate with a 2-for-3 appearance. Kelsey Lockridge brought in the Braves only ribbie.
Mississippi State's starting pitcher Kenley Hawk (4-1) took the circle victory. She pitched 3.0 innings for two hits against and four strikeouts. Grace Fagan took over in the third inning to pitch 2.0 innings for three hits against, three earned runs, two walks, and one strikeout.
The Bulldogs had 10 runs with nine hits and two errors. Riley Hull and Paige Cook collected two hits each, and Mia Davidson and Matalasi Faapito had two RBIs each.
Alcorn 2, JSU 5
Scoring Recap
B2/ Abbie Perkins singled to right field for the RBI as Chaney Phillips scored. Megan Fortner then scored on a fielder's choice. ASU 0, JSU 2
B5/ Hannah Buffington extended the Gamecocks lead to 5-0, hitting a three-RBI homer, scoring Addie Robinson, Savannah Sudduth, and herself. ASU 0, JSU 5
T6/ The Braves prevented the shutout in the sixth inning. Kelsey Lockridge hit a home run to center field to come home, taking Desirea Lindsey with her. ASU 2, JSU 5
Alcorn 2, Mississippi State 10
Scoring Recap
B2/ The second inning was huge for the Bulldogs. Mississippi State scored seven runs on six hits and one error. ASU 0, MSU 7
B4/ Madisyn Kennedy homered to center field for three RBIs. Montana Davidson and Chole Malau'ulu also came in on the hit. ASU 0, MSU 10
T5/ The Braves saw late-inning scoring again in game two to prevent the shutout. Lockridge singled to right field to score Lindsey ad then came home on a wild pitch.
Up Next
The Braves return to action for day two of the Bulldog Invitational. Alcorn State will take on Jacksonville State in a rematch at 10 a.m. and go against Furnam Univeristy at 12:30 p.m.
For the latest on Alcorn State softball, check AlcornSports.com for the latest news and scheduling information, or follow the Braves through Twitter (@BravesSports), Facebook (Alcorn State Sports), and Instagram (@AlcornSports).
