Box Score The Alabama State Softball team used a three run, three hit rally in the bottom of the fourth to defeat Eastern Illinois 5-0 on Sunday afternoon at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
“The girls came out, even in warm-ups with a different attitude/mentality about themselves today,” Head Coach Telma Hall said. “We stop thinking so much and just started doing, basically. The chemistry was there, the focus was there, and we came out with a great victory today.”
The Lady Hornets (1-8 overall) was led by sophomore pitcher
Destyni Valencia, who threw a one hitter shutting down a career high 30 of the 31 batters faced. The only hit gifted to the Panther batters was a bunt single by EIU's Melise Brown in the top of the seventh inning.
“I'm really proud of
Destyni Valencia coming out throwing hard today,” said Hall. “She fought hard, her demeanor was there, she gave the defense confidence, and she stayed in her zone. She gave us her 100 percent efforts out there and we're extremely happy for her.”
Freshman designated hitter
Makayla Webster went 3-for-3, recording three singles on the day to lead Alabama State at the plate. Senior
Bailey Patt went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored in the contest. Senior
Brehanna Rodrigues added two hits in the contest, while
Meagan Dixon and
Tamara Williams recorded a hit each for the Lady Hornets.
“We now finding some hitters that may help us in the top of our line-up now,” Hall stated. “We just wanted to come out and have fun today, and that's what we did. The girls were more relaxed and vibrant today. That was the key to our success. Just come out and have fun and when we had fun, we made it fun for our fans.”
“We are now finding some hitters that may help us in the top of our line-up now,” Hall stated. “We just wanted to come out and have fun today, and that's what we did. The girls were more relaxed and vibrant today. That was the key to our success. Just come out and have fun and when we had fun, we made it fun for our fans.”
ASU scored two runs in the sixth inning, making it a 5-0 ballgame over the Lady Panthers.
“Actually, having finally getting the bricks off our backs, grasping our first win should give us a little momentum with UAB coming in this Friday,” said Hall. “We just want to continue building off the momentum we have coming off this victory, going into the UAB game. We're at home and I think we're finally realizing that. I tell the girls every day our motto is 0-0, so we'll enjoy the win today, but when we step out on the field against UAB, the score will be 0-0.”
Alabama State will be back in action Friday, February 22 at 4 p.m. when they host the UAB Blazers in a double-header at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
-HORNETS-
