DECATUR, Ala. – The Alabama State softball team finished its season falling in the 2013 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game to Mississippi Valley State 11-3 Saturday evening at Wilson Morgan Park.
 
“The girls came into a new environment playing for their first conference championship against a Valley State team that is rich with experience and televised to play,” Head Coach Telma Hall. “We could not get into our groove but the ladies kept fighting.”
 
“I am proud of them and all that they have accomplished. We lost a few to graduation, but still have a strong nucleus returning. With the 2014 recruiting class, the milestones set this year will keep elevating ASU Hornets softball.”
 
The Devilettes (25-30) bats heated up in the top of the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead over the Lady Hornets.
 
ASU's Brehanna Rodrigues walked to lead off the bottom half of the inning. A sacrifice bunt off the bat of Tamara Williams moved Rodrigues to second base, before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Makayla Webster single through the middle infield, scoring Rodrigues from third.
 
In the third, Rodrigues led off the inning with a triple to right center. Williams walked, before stealing second base. Meagan Dixon walked on eight pitches to load the bases for the Lady Hornets. Webster reached on a fielder's choice and moved up to third on a throwing error by the shortstop; while scoring Williams and Rodrigues, making it a 5-3 contest.
 
Mississippi Valley State recorded a run in the second, third, fourth, and sixth innings before adding four runs in the seventh.
 
Rodrigues and Dixon led Alabama State at the plate with two hits each. Rodrigues also had two runs scored.  
 
Dixon, Rodrigues, and Patt were named to the 2013 SWAC All-Tournament team.