March 20, 2007

Final Stats

In a game that was an absolute thriller, South Alabama outlasted Alabama State 6-4 in the second half of a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon.

ASU starting pitcher Whitney Valentine was outstanding as she held the Jaguars to four hits and one run through six strong innings.

The Jaguars' Beth Pilgrim and Amanda Leggett were almost as good as they scattered seven Hornet hits and only allowed one run in the first five innings.

ASU broke through for two big runs in the sixth as Nicole Zarate drove in Destinee Sanchez and Pamela Curry's walk forced in Mikail Knox.

The Lady Hornets went into the seventh and final regulation inning with a 3-1 lead.

However, South Alabama wouldn't die easily as they rallied for three runs. The big blow was a two run single by Wetumpka-native Ashley Elmore, who'd hit a solo home run in the first inning.

With one out and facing two strikes in the bottom of the seventh, Valentine blasted a home run over the left field fence. However, the ASU star aggravated a muscle pull that left her unable to pitch the next inning.

ASU head coach Telma O'Neal-Hall was forced to turn to Sanchez, who had pitched seven grueling innings in the first game of the doubleheader. South Alabama was able to scratch out two runs in the top of the eighth inning.

The Lady Hornets were able to load the bases, but the Jaguars pulled off a double play to end the game.

Valentine was 2-3 with two RBI in the game. Zarate had three hits and Karissa Whaley had two for ASU.

"This was a tough loss to a really good team," O'Neal-Hall said. "I'm proud, because we kept coming back which proves we have great character. This kind of intense competition really prepares us for conference competition."

ASU will play at Birmingham-Southern on Thursday before traveling to take to Texas for a weekend series against Prairie View A & M.