TROY – Trailing 7-3 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Alabama State softball team was down to its final out against Buffalo in its season opener in the Troy Tournament on Friday.
 
A four-run inning on four hits, three hit batters and a walk forced extra innings, but Buffalo went on to win 11-8 in eight innings on the Bulls' Hayley Barrow RBI double that provided the difference. 
 
But not before the Lady Hornets had a golden opportunity to take the game.
 
SWAC Preseason Player of the Year Aleesa Yanez came through with a single up the middle to score Jazzmin Romero.  Running behind Romero, Diauna Nelson appeared to have scored the winning run by going around the tag.  However, the home plate umpire ruled that Nelson was out and extra innings ensued. 
 
"We were able to come out in the first inning and score two runs," said ASU softball coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson. "Our leadoff and number two hitters were able to get on.  We put the ball the play and was given the opportunity to score.  And, I was proud that our girls didn't give up.  We were right there to cap off a great come-from-behind victory, but it didn't so you always have to keep fighting through obstacles." 
 
Three ASU players had two hits. 
 
Sophomore Valerie Centeno reached base three times by hitting 2-for-3 with two singles, a run scored and was hit by a pitch.  Centeno also made a great play in the field by throwing out a runner attempting to score from centerfield in the top of the third. 
 
Batting from the ninth spot in the lineup, Romero went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.   
 
Junior designated player Alexis Johnson went 2-for-5 with two singles and a run scored. 
 
Kendall Core and Carly Evans flashed some solid glove work all day.  Core had nine assists coming on throws from third base while Evans had 10 putouts at first base. 
 
In the nightcap, North Florida defeated ASU 11-0. 
 
Junior pitcher Maddie Phelps pitched seven innings and allowed just six earned runs.  Phelps threw 135 pitches with 84 strikes. 
 
Valerie Centeno, Perry Hindi, Carly Evans, Alexis Johnson and Laura Aguilar had a hit apiece for the Lady Hornets (0-2).
 
ASU will continue with Troy Tournament action Saturday at 4 p.m. vs. Florida A&M at the Sportsplex and then will take on Western Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. at the Troy Softball Complex. 
 
#GOHORNETS#