BIRMINGHAM – The Alabama State softball team lost both games in its final day of competition at the Samford Tournament on Saturday, dropping game one 8-2 to Valparaiso , and falling 6-3 in game two against Houston Baptist.
 
Alabama State (3-10) took an early lead against Valpo with two runs in the top of the second inning on the strength of a two-out rally.  Aleesa Yanez, Valerie Centeno and Laura Aguilar all came out with singles in the inning. 
 
The Lady Crusaders (3-5) came back with four runs in the bottom half of the inning and held the lead. 
 
Centeno finished 2-for-4 with a RBI, Carly Evans was 2-for-4 with a double while Perry Hindi and Yanez each scored. 
 
Maddie Phelps (2-4) pitched four innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. 
 
In the second game of the day, Houston Baptist used a three-run sixth on the power of the long ball to grab a 4-0 lead.
 
The Lady Hornets battled back with a three-run sixth of their own on an Alexis Johnson RBI double that drove in Aguilar and a two-run home run to left by Kendall Core.  It was Core's first home run of the season. 
 
The Huskies (6-8) tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning.   
 
Aguilar batted 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored. 
 
Rachel Mills (0-4) worked six innings and allowed just three earned runs on seven hits. 
 
Alabama State will next host Troy in the season's home opening doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex. 
 
#MYSUGORED#