Final Box Game 1

Final Box Game 2

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Despite frigid temperatures, the Alabama State University softball team opened its 2010 season with a hot start earning a doubleheader sweep of Savannah State, 9-3 and 8-0, Thursday afternoon at Fain Park.

ASU got things going early with a pair of runs in the second inning of the first game. The offensive explosion continued in the frame as junior Quaniesha Limbrick doubled and sophomore Courtney Crossley recorded a steal. The Lady Hornets finished the inning with seven runs.

Alabama State posted its final run in the fourth inning before Savannah State finally got on the board with a pair of runs in the fifth. Tiffany Taylor singled home Jennifer Katzman, who had reached based on a fielder's choice.  A Lady Hornet error aided SSU in scoring its second run.

With ASU holding a seven run lead, Savannah State scratched in a final run in the seventh inning for the 9-3 final.

“It's so important for us to be able to establish momentum early in the game,” said ASU head coach Telma O'Neal-Hall. “It boosts our confidence and that showed on the field today.”

The Lady Hornets again grabbed an early lead in game two pushing a run across the plate in the first inning. Freshman Whitley Golson, singled up the middle and then stole second. With two outs, Limbrick ripped a single but was caught trying to stretch it into a double. However, Golson  reached home before Limbrick was called out allowing the run to score.

Savannah State's bats were silent as ASU continued to build on its lead with four more runs. The Lady Hornets eventually pushed their lead to the final score of 8-0, earning the first shutout of the season.

Next up for Alabama State is this weekend's Hornet Invitational at Fain Park.  The first game is set for 12 noon Saturday with ASU taking on Eastern Illinois.