ITTA BENA, MS – The first game featured a six-run breakthrough inning, another effective relief pitching performance by Chelsea King and a pair of clutch sacrifice fly RBIs by Jenna Mae Thorne and Carly Evans as Alabama State topped host Mississippi Valley State 9-7.
 
In game two, ASU squandered a four-run lead as the Lady Hornets fell 7-5 to split a Saturday afternoon conference doubleheader at the MVSU Softball Complex.    
     
Game 1: Alabama State 9, Mississippi Valley State 7
The Lady Hornets (12-28 overall, 6-5 SWAC) began the day on a high note when it sent 10 batters to the plate as part of a six-run second inning. 
 
A barrage of singles by Brittney Wilson, Diauna Nelson, Thorne, and Evans followed by a double off the bat of Alexis Johnson put ASU ahead 6-3. 
 
The Devilettes (11-28 overall, 6-5 SWAC) cut the lead to 6-5 in the bottom of the third on a RBI double.
 
But, Alabama State had answers as Evans came through with a RBI single that plated Centeno in the fourth.
 
In the sixth, ASU got huge insurance runs that proved to be important. 
 
Table setters Laura Aguilar and Centeno both reached base via an error and a walk.
 
After a double steal, Thorne and Evans drove the ball for RBI sacrifice flies to push the lead to 9-5. 
 
King (2-4) earned the win after going four strong innings in relief. 
 
The freshman from Lakeland, FL, allowed two runs but neither was earned on just one hit.  She struck out three and walked one. 
 
Evans batted 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.  Thorne went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Nelson was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. 
 
Game 2: Mississippi Valley State 7, Alabama State 5
ASU sprung out to a 4-0 lead with a four-run fourth inning.
 
Aleesa Yanez led off the inning with a single. 
 
With Raven Walker pinch running for Yanez, Walker came all the way around to score on a blazing triple to left field by Wilson. 
 
Nelson picked up a RBI on a ground out. 
 
After Jazzmin Romero singled and stole second base, Centeno doubled to set up a two-run single by Thorne. 
 
Valley rallied back, however, with a run in the bottom half of the fourth and took the lead on a four-run fifth highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Natalia Covarrubias. 
 
ASU tied it at five in the top of the sixth when Centeno tripled to center to score Romero. 
 
The Devilettes scored the winning run on a RBI single by freshman Sharia Cormier in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Centeno batted 3-for-4 with a double, triple, run scored and a RBI. 
 
Thorne was 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. 
 
Core, Yanez and Wilson all had two hits apiece. 
 
The Lady Hornets return home to finish out the regular season with a seven-game home stand.
 
It begins Friday at 6 p.m. against Alabama A&M.
 
Live stats can be followed at http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/
 
Tweets will be made throughout the game @ASUBUZZ. 
 
#GOHORNETS#