MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The outcome was never in doubt for this one.
 
The Alabama State softball team scored a season-high eight runs in an inning and equaled the most runs they've scored in a game all season as the Lady Hornets routed conference opponent Alcorn State 12-0 in five innings on Saturday at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex to complete the three-game series sweep.
 
It was the most runs that the Lady Hornets (17-29 overall, 11-6 SWAC) had scored in a game since Feb. 14 against Southeast Missouri State. 
 
ASU got off to the quick start by sending 12 batters to the plate as part of an eight-hit, eight-run first inning. 
 
It was very much a team effort as 10 Lady Hornets had at least one hit and seven different players drove in at least one RBI. 
 
"We got ahead early and we wanted to give a couple kids an opportunity who haven't had a whole lot of opportunities this season so I was glad to be able to do that," said Alabama State softball coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson. "They work hard in practice every day too so they deserve a chance to play.  I'm really proud for them to come in and step up.  They deserve kudos for keeping it going." 
 
The first five batters all reached base.
 
Laura Aguilar singled, Valerie Centeno corked a RBI double and Jenna Mae Thorne followed with a RBI single.
 
The hit parade continued with a RBI triple to left field by Carly Evans and a RBI single to center field by Kendall Core. 
 
Later in the inning, Aleesa Yanez picked up a RBI single, Brittney Wilson singled and Jazzmin Romero drove in another run on a RBI single. 
 
ASU scored their seventh run of the inning on a wild pitch and added an eighth run on a sacrifice fly RBI by Centeno. 
 
The Lady Hornets added four more runs in the second inning on the strength of a ball that was hit into the gap in left-center field. 
 
Two Lady Braves' outfielders collided and the ball came loose to plate three more ASU players. 
 
After a Romero double, Diauna Nelson had a RBI single to finish out the scoring. 
 
In the circle, Chelsea King (5-4) and Melissa Christmann combined for the four-hit shutout. 
 
King struck out three batters.  Neither pitched walked a batter. 
 
The Lady Braves dropped to 2-31 overall and 0-14 in SWAC play. 
 
Alabama State will return to action Monday at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex for a 4 p.m. doubleheader with nonconference opponent Middle Tennessee State (18-26) of Conference USA to conclude the regular season.
 
Live stats can be followed at http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/
 
Tweets will be made throughout the game @ASUBUZZ. 
 
#GOHORNETS#