MADISION, MS – Junior first baseman Carly Evans made a triumphant return to the starting lineup by blasting two key doubles, Melissa Christmann pitched efficiently in the circle and the Alabama State softball team picked up another Southwestern Athletic Conference victory by pouncing all over Grambling State 7-1 Saturday at Madison Central High School. 
 
Alabama State (10-22 overall, 4-1 SWAC) ran their record to 7-6 over its past 13 games and ensured that they would remain in first place in the SWAC's East Division through the weekend.
 
The Lady Hornets started strong by stinging together consecutive singles by Laura Aguilar, Valerie Centeno and Jenna Mae Thorne before Evans hit a bases-clearing double into the gap in left-center field to score all three, giving ASU a 3-0 lead  out of the gate. 
 
The Lady Tigers (3-17 overall, 2-3 SWAC) moved to within 3-1 on a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, but that's as close as it would be for the remainder of the game.
 
ASU added a RBI single off the bat of Brittney Wilson to score pinch runner Tacresha Favors in the sixth inning to make it 4-1. 
 
The Lady Hornets opened it up with a three-run seventh on a two-run double by Evans and a RBI double by Thorne. 
 
Evans finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and five RBI after last playing on March 15.
 
Christmann (5-8) was sharp and stayed in control.  The right-hander tossed six innings and allowed just one run on four hits.  She walked two and also struck out two batters. 
 
Chelsea King came on in the seventh and walked one before striking out three batters to complete the scoreless inning in relief.  King lowered her ERA to 1.00 in seven innings. 
 
It marked the fourth time in the past five games that ASU has allowed three runs or fewer. 
 
Thorne batted 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and a RBI.   Thorne has reached base in a team-best nine consecutive games. 
 
Centeno was 2-for-3 with a run scored while Aleesa Yanez also went 2-for-3.  Centeno leads the team with 14 multiple hits games. 
 
Alexis Johnson went 0-for-4 and had her 24-game reached base streak snapped. 
 
Next, ASU will host Samford Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Military Appreciation Day. 
 
Special pre-game festivities are planned with guest appearances from the United States Air Force.
 
#GOHORNETS#