GRAMBLING, La. – The Lady Braves softball season ended abruptly as Grambling swept Alcorn to close their chances of making it to the 2022 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Tournament. After taking game one on Tuesday, the Tigers got two wins over the Lady Braves on Wednesday afternoon to claim both games of the doubleheader, stealing the series at the GSC Softball Complex.
Grambling got out to a fast start in game one, striking for three runs in the first. The Lady Braves were able to get within one of the Tigers' lead, adding two in the top of the third, and eventually took a 7-3 lead in the top of the seventh. GSU rallied in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at seven, and a two-out bases-loaded walk would seal the victory in the eighth for the Tigers, 8-7.
Tyesha Tcake Cole and Marsha Hunt connected for home runs at the plate, while Amari Ramsey, Hannah Dukes, Genise Wells, and Miracle Crosby had doubles. Cole led the Braves offense with a 2-for-4 appearance with two runs and two ribbies. Desirea Lindsey tied Cole in runners batted in to bring in two.
Kiri Parker (6-8) took the loss in the circle, throwing for seven innings for nine hits against, seven earned runs, four walks, and six strikeouts. Ta'Niyah Fletcher closed the contest with 0.2 innings pitched for two hits against, one earned run, and two walks.
In game two, Alcorn got one run in the first and a second in the top of the fifth to take a 2-0 advantage. A sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth for Grambling cut the Lady Braves' lead to 2-1. Alcorn fought to keep its lead as Hunt singled for an RBI and Kennedy Terry stole home to improve to 4-2. The Lady Braves' hope of extending the season came crashing down as the Tigers scored three runs in the final frame on a single, a double, and a wild pitch.
Chloey Morgan and Cole both connected for two hits with three at-bats to score one run. Cole also had a triple in the effort, while Hunt tallied the Lady Braves' only RBI.
Brenn Ursin (4-9) was credited with the pitching loss, occupying the circle for 6.2 innings with four hits against, five earned runs, and four walks.
Grambling improves to 24-22 overall and 11-13 in conference play for the No. 3 in the West going into the SWAC Tournament next week.
Alcorn closes the season with a 16-33 record and 9-15 in the league.
