Softball Plates Two Wins in Georgia

COVINGTON, Ga. – Alcorn Softball turned in a pair of wins Friday as the Braves went 2-0 on the opening day of the HBCU Collegiate Invitational taking place at Turner Lake Softball Complex in Covington, Georgia. The Braves defeated North Carolina Central in the day's opening game, and then gathered a 13-1 win over Maryland Eastern Shore in the afternoon session.
 
Alcorn 4, N.C. Central 2
Alcorn scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning Friday morning as the Braves claimed a 4-2 win over North Carolina Central in the opening game of the HBCU Collegiate Invitational at Turner Lake Softball Complex in Covington, Georgia.
 
Alcorn (3-3) first baseman Paris Thompson registered her first home run of the campaign with a leadoff shot to center field for the game's opening score. The Braves made it 2-0 later in the at-bat courtesy a Sanai Salvant RBI single through the left side that crossed Chiara Olison from third, after the junior from Alvin, Texas singled in her at-bat of earlier in the frame.
 
NCCU (0-6) tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth with a pair of runs.
 
With the bases loaded and one out, left fielder Tyler Suttles doubled to the wall in right allowing Isabella Slape and Elana Krupey to score for the Eagles out of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
 
The Braves produced the winning run in the top of the seventh after third baseman Jamyiyah Cotten reached on a two-out error charged to the Eagles infield. Two plays later, the second error of the at-bat occurred, this time allowing Alcorn catcher Ka'Miya Dillon to reach while teammates Cotten and Thomspon scored, respectively.
 
The win was picked up by Olison as she evened her record at 2-2 on the campaign after working all seven innings and surrendering just two runs (one earned) on seven hits, two walks and recording three strikeouts. The loss went to NCCU reliever Madeline Janssen (0-3) who tossed 1.2 innings, giving up two unearned runs with two walks and two strikeouts.
 
Inside the Box Score
• The three strikeouts by Olison tied a season-high for the junior right-hander.
• Seven different Braves posted hits in the contest.
• Olison, Dillon and Yahnya Acevedo each picked up two hits at the dish.
• For Thompson, the home run was the second of her career, as she also hit one in 2025 against Southern (La.).
• Thompson also drew three walks in the game, while only two players struck out for the Braves in the contest. The hit was her first of the season as well.
 
Alcorn 13, UMES 1 (5 inn.)
Yahnya Acevedo went 2-for-3 with three RBIs Friday afternoon as Alcorn defeated Maryland Eastern Shore 13-1 in five innings in the second game of the day for the Braves as part of the HBCU Collegiate Invitational at Turner Lake Softball Complex in Covington, Georgia.
 
After scoring one in the top of the third, Alcorn (3-3) scored five in the top of the fourth to open a 6-0 lead.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore (0-2) brought a run back in the bottom-half of the frame when Ryleigh Lilly came across for the Hawks to trim the lead, 6-1.
 
The Purple and Gold scored a season-high seven runs in the top of the fifth to put the run-rule into effect.
 
Second baseman Karmen Bernard drove in a pair and Ka'Miya Dillon plated one and scored herself.
 
The win went to Alainah Felton (1-0) for her first win of the season, as she tossed four frames and allowed just one hit and fanned two. The loss went to Paris Richards (0-1) in working 2.1 innings and being hit for one run on one hit.
 
Inside the Box Score
• Yahnya Acevedo slapped her second double of the season.
• Karmen Bernard had a season-best three RBIs.
• Five different players scored two runs in the contest.
• Olivia Miller and Acevedo each had two hits apiece.
 
Alcorn will play two games on Saturday, Feb. 14, when the Braves battle Coppin State at 9 a.m., followed immediately by a matchup with Bowie State 30 minutes after that contest against the Eagles of CSU.
 
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