Game 1 vs. Hampton University
COVINGTON, Ga. – The Alcorn State softball team put together a strong defensive effort but came up short in a
1-0 loss to Hampton University on Friday evening at the
HBCU Invitational. The low-scoring matchup at Turner Lake featured dominant pitching on both sides, with the Lady Braves unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Hampton plated the game's only run in the first inning and held off Alcorn's late push to secure the victory.
Ta'Niyah Fletcher delivered a standout performance in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing only
six hits and no earned runs in the tough-luck loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Hampton took advantage of an early miscue in the top of the first, as Carmynn Bonner reached on an error before Kylie Hill drove her in with an RBI single to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
- Alcorn had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the first, as Yahnya Acevedo reached on a bunt single, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball before being thrown out at home to end the inning.
- The Lady Braves' defense came up big in the third inning, executing a triple play when Hill lined into a 6-2-5-3 sequence, stopping a potential scoring threat from Hampton.
- Despite five hits on the night, Alcorn was unable to bring a run across, stranding multiple runners in scoring position.
- Hampton's Angelina Branch (1-1) earned the win, throwing six scoreless innings before Leah Maduro picked up the save in the seventh.
KEY STATS
- Fletcher (L, 1-2): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R (0 ER), 3 K
- Walters: 2-for-3
- Thompson: 2-for-2, HBP
- Acevedo: 1-for-3, SB
- Alcorn Defense: 1 triple play, 1 double play
Game 2 vs. North Carolina Central University
COVINGTON, Ga. – The Alcorn State softball team delivered a thrilling comeback victory on Friday night at the
HBCU Invitational, rallying in the sixth inning to edge North Carolina Central,
8-7, at Turner Lake Softball Complex.
Trailing by three runs heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Lady Braves (3-3) erupted for
four runs to reclaim the lead and secure their second win of the tournament.
Ta'Niyah Fletcher (1-2) earned the win in relief, shutting down the Eagles (1-5) over the final three innings to seal the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- N.C. Central struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on a throwing error and a hit-by-pitch to push across an unearned run.
- Alcorn responded in the third inning with a four-run burst, highlighted by Paris Thompson's two-run single and an RBI double from Alaonah Felton to take a 4-1 lead.
- The Eagles chipped away, scoring two runs in the fourth, two in the fifth, and two more in the sixth to regain a 7-4 advantage.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Alcorn's bats came alive once again. Sarah Kennedy and Ka'Miya Dillon led off with singles, setting the stage for a wild sequence that included a bases-loaded RBI single from Kennedy Terry, a fielding error by N.C. Central's defense, and two unearned runs that gave Alcorn the lead at 8-7.
- Fletcher shut down the Eagles in the top of the seventh, retiring the side in order to complete the comeback win.
KEY STATS
- Fletcher (W, 1-2): 3.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 4 K
- Olivia Miller: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 K
- Thompson: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs
- Felton: 2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI
- Acevedo: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run
- Dillon: 2-for-3, 2 runs
UP NEXT
The Lady Braves continue play at the
HBCU Invitational on Saturday, February 15, facing Howard University at noon and South Carolina State University at 2 p.m.
