Softball Suffers Setback at Louisiana Tech

RUSTON, La. – Sanai Salvant registered a hit and scored a run Tuesday evening for Alcorn Softball as the Braves suffered a 9-1 setback at the hands of Louisiana Tech at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field in Ruston, Louisiana.
 
Louisiana Tech (14-10) broke the tie first with a pair of runs coming across the board in the home-half of the first inning.
 
Bulldogs centerfielder Elena Heng worked a leadoff walk, stole second and then stole home on a double steal with Cali Bennett to break the deadlock. Bennett later scored herself on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Reagan Marchant to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead after one.
 
Alcorn (9-11) trimmed the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth inning when designated player Sanai Salvant scored on a Paris Thompson groundout. But the hosts responded with a Reese Torres run off the strength of an Alannah Rogers RBI double to the gap in the bottom of the fourth to restore the two-run cushion, 4-1.
 
Louisiana Tech widened the margin with three runs in the fifth.
 
Bradi Gallaway led off with a double and scored on an Allie Furr single. Furr later crossed the plate on an Aleah Brooks single through the left side, pushing the lead to 6-1.
 
Louisiana Tech added three more in the sixth to put the run-rule into effect.
 
Bulldogs first baseman Marchant doubled to center field, plating Gallaway and Bennett – the latter on an error – for a two-run base knock. Reese Torres then singled home pinch runner Avery Jefferson to cap the scoring.
 
Marchant finished the night 1-for-3 at the dish with three RBIs and a double. Gallaway went 2-for-4 offensively driving in two and recording a stolen base. Torres added two hits of her own and an RBI, while Furr and Brooks each collected a hit and an RBI apiece.
 
Ruby Fidge (2-2) earned the win in the pitcher's circle after throwing three scoreless innings, allowing no hits and walking just one. Laney Johnson struck out three in 1.2 innings of relief, and it was Ryleigh Shull finishing things up in the final inning.
 
The Braves' Chiara Olison took the loss for Alcorn, thus evening her record for the campaign at 6-6. She surrendered eight hits and six runs (five earned) over 4.1 innings tossed. Alainah Felton allowed three runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning in relief for the Purple and Gold.
 
Louisiana Tech finished with 11 hits, respectfully. The Bulldogs also swiped five bases on the evening, with Heng stealing two.
 
Salvant reached base three times for the Braves, drawing two walks and recording the team's lobe hit in the contest.
 
The Braves return home Friday, March 13, as they welcome Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Western Division power Prairie View A&M to Alcorn Softball Complex in Lorman, Mississippi. First pitch for game one of the three-game league series is set for 4 p.m.
 
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