Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 STATESBORO, Ga. – The Alabama State softball team fell to Kennesaw State 4-2 and host team Georgia Southern 6-2 on Friday afternoon during the first day of the 2013 Eagle Invitational.
 
“Being that we haven't played since our tournament, we were working to get back in game mode,” head coach Telma Hall said. “Our defense kept us in the game and pulled us out of some tough situation. Executing on offense is our Achilles heel right now. We need more “right on time hits.”  
 
The Owls (11-2 overall) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, when Kara Chambers scored from third on a wild pitch.
 
The Lady Hornets (1-11) opened the fifth inning with a one-out bunt single by senior shortstop Brehanna Rodrigues. She then stole second base to get in scoring position. A RBI double by junior centerfielder Meagan Dixon brought Rodrigues around from second to score, tying the game at 1-all.  
 
Kennesaw State added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth and in another in the sixth, making it a 4-1 ballgame.
 
ASU recorded another run in the seventh, capping the score at 4-2. Alabama State had runners left in scoring position in the second, fourth, and seventh innings, but could bring the runners around to score.
 
Rodrigues went 2-for-4 with two runs scored; while Dixon went 2-for-3 including a RBI to lead ASU at the plate. Freshman catcher Aleesa Yanez and senior hurler Bailey Patt each recorded a hit in the contest.
 
“Bailey is really giving us some good energy on the defensive side of the ball and is giving us some sparks on offense,” Hall said. “Aleesa had a better approach at the plate and even started a rally for us.”
 
Freshman pitcher Melissa Christmann went six innings gifting only two earned runs and a strikeout in the effort during game one.
 
The Lady Hornets fell short in game two against Georgia Southern. Shelby Morrill hit a two-run homer to right center field, opening the game with a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the first inning.
 
The Eagles (8-7) added two more runs in the top of the fifth, before Alabama State came buzzing back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two runs of its on, making it a 4-2 contest.
 
A bunt single by Rodrigues gave the Lady Hornets wind. She stole second base before being advanced over to third on a single by Dixon. Rodrigues stole home to score ASU's first run of the ballgame.
 
The Eagles recorded two additional runs in the top of the seventh, ending the 6-2 contest.
 
Alabama State produced six hits in the contest, while leaving nine on base.
 
The Lady Hornets will face the South Carolina Gamecocks at 9:30 a.m. and the Florida International Panthers at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Eagles Invitational.
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                            -HORNETS-