MONROE, La. – Brittney Wilson crushed a go-ahead solo shot to left-center field for her second home run in as many days and Alexis Johnson smoked a three-run homer to straightaway center as part of a five-run sixth inning as Alabama State powered by Southeast Missouri State 12-7 in game one on day two at the Mardi Gras Tournament on Saturday.
 
The Lady Hornets got the pickup it needed in the form of pitching relief as Maddie Phelps came on in the third and immediately made an impact. 
 
The junior pitched five sparkling innings, allowed just one earned run on four hits and was able to get out of a key jam. 
 
Phelps (2-2) induced an important 6-4-3 double play to end a threat in the third and then cruised through the next three innings without allowing a hit. 
 
At the plate, the ASU bats were big all game as four players had at least three hits. 
 
Johnson batted 3-for-5 with six RBI, junior Carly Evans was 4-of-5 with a triple, double and four RBI, sophomore Valerie Centeno went 3-for-5 with two runs and a double and Wilson finished 3-for-4 with two runs, a stolen base and a RBI. 
 
"I felt hungry," said Johnson, who upped her batting average to .423 (11-for-26) on the season.  "I hit an outside pitch.  I was due for a good at bat and I was trying to start a rally for the team.  I knew it was time for somebody to step up. And, we needed insurance runs." 
 
The Lady Hornets steadily added runs in each of the first three innings. 
 
In the first, Johnson delivered a two-run single through the left side.
 
In the second, Centeno ripped a RBI single through the left side to plate Wilson to give ASU a 3-2 lead. 
 
In the third, Alabama State tied it at 4-4 on Johnson's RBI single to left-center field.
 
The Redhawks dropped to 0-3. 
 
In game two, host Louisiana-Monroe topped Alabama State 3-1.
 
Johnson kept rolling on the day as she went 2-for-3 including a towering home run to left that traveled approximately 250 feet in the fourth inning.    
 
Johnson's second home run of the day just stayed fair just inside the left field foul pole.
 
"I thought it was a home run as soon as I hit it," Johnson said. "It came on an inside pitch. I felt like today was a great confidence booster for me." 
 
Phelps came on in relief once again and was very efficient as she tossed three and a third scoreless innings while only allowing one hit.  She struck out two and walked none.
 
The Lady Hornets (3-6) totaled eight hits, but were unable to cash in with runners on base. 

It threatened in the seventh by putting two runners on base, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate.
 
But, the Warhawks (7-1) were able to get a ground ball to end it. 
 
Alabama State will next hold its season home opener versus Troy in a doubleheader on Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m.
 
To follow live stats of the game, go to  http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/.
 
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