Softball Drops 7-2 Contest in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Rajayla McBride went 2-for-2 at the dish while Jamyiyah Cotten added a hit as Alcorn fell to Memphis 7-2 in a nonconference softball contest on Tuesday evening at Tigers Softball Complex in Memphis, Tennessee.
 
Alcorn (13-27) held an early 2-1 lead after the first inning, but Memphis (15-30) responded with three runs in the second and never trailed again en route to the victory.
 
Deana Cunningham, the Tigers shortstop, went 1-for-2 with three RBIs in the contest – a two-out, three-run shot off Alcorn starter Alainah Felton in the home-half of the second inning that extended the Memphis advantage to 4-2.
 
Memphis relief pitcher Avery Stutts (6-8) earned the win after entering in the fourth inning and retiring 13 of the 14 batters she faced over four innings of one-hit, shutout ball. She struck out three and walked one during her time in the pitcher's circle for the Tigers.
 
Jasmine Chavez started but was removed after facing five batters in the first inning and surrendering two runs without a hit allowed. Rylee Dugar bridged the gap in 2.1 innings of work before handing the ball to Stutts.
 
Taylor Caton added a double and an RBI for Memphis, while Faith Brown contributed a triple off Alcorn reliever Chiara Olison. Isabella Hune, Ariel Davis, Kylie Waldrep and Paris Brienesse each had a stolen base for the Tigers, who finished with four steals on the afternoon.
 
Felton (4-8) took the loss for the Braves, yielding five runs (four earned) on seven hits in three innings of action. Olison came on in relief and gave up two runs over three innings in closing it out in the circle for the Purple and Gold.
 
Rajayla McBride had Alcorn's best individual performance, going 2-for-2 with a stolen base. Second baseman Karmen Bernard and Cotten each scored runs for the Braves.
 
Alcorn was held scoreless after the first inning and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
 
Alcorn next travels to Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Western Division leader Prairie View A&M for a crucial three-game league series taking place April 17-18, in Prairie View, Texas.
 
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