Looking to bounce back in the win column, the Alabama State softball team will take part in the eighth annual Tiny Laster Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Invitational this weekend at the Shea Brothers Softball Complex in the Birmingham suburb of Irondale, Ala.
 
The invitational will feature 10 teams in all including three from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), one from the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), one from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and five from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).  
 
The Lady Hornets (3-15) open versus Savannah State (3-7) of the MEAC on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
 
It will be a quick turnaround for the Lady Hornets as ASU continues early Saturday with games against Morgan State (0-7) of the MEAC at 9 a.m. followed by a game against Faulkner (3-0) of the SSAC at 1:30 p.m.
 
Alabama State finishes against Tennessee State (3-8) of the OVC on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
 
Savannah State has shown great power in the early stages of the season with a total of 23 team home runs.
 
Torrian Wright has been among the most dangerous, hitting .625 (15-for-29) with nine home runs, 17 RBI and a 1.750 slugging percentage. 

Amanda Hallman has four home runs while Amber Hallman, Molly Lillis and Kylie Tierce had three home runs apiece for the Lady Tigers. 
 
However, Savannah State has been hit hard on the mound with a team ERA of 12.29.  The pitching staff has allowed 118 hits in just 63 innings of work. 
 
Morgan State has hit just .252 as a team with Claudette Smith leading the Bears with a .357 batting average (5-for-14) with three runs scored and has been successful on 3-of-4 stolen base attempts. 

Danielle Pitpit also holds a .357 average. 
 
The Bears have also struggled with their pitching as the staff collectively has an ERA of 15.52.  The staff has allowed 64 hits in 23 innings. 
 
Faulkner, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) team, has dominated the competition in the early going by outscoring their opponents 30-4. 
 
The Lady Eagles have hit .380 as a team while holding their opponents to just a .185 batting average.  
 
The Faulkner pitching staff holds a 0.45 team ERA and has allowed just 11 hits in 17 innings. 
 
Tennessee State has struggled at the plate with just a .226 team batting average and three home runs. 

Courtney Gearlds leads the team with a .303 batting average (10-for-33). 
 
On the mound, Jasmine Matchen has led the staff with a 3.32 ERA mainly out of the bullpen. 
 
Live stats will be available for the games by going to bamastatesports.com or clicking here:  http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/
 
Sunday's game against Tennessee State will additionally have live audio available. 
 
#GOHORNETS#