JACKSONVILLE, AL – It has been an unfortunate theme all season for the Alabama State softball team.  
 
The Lady Hornets have been able to get plenty of runners on base.
 
Entering Tuesday's play, the team ranked second in the SWAC in batting average (.317) with eight players hitting at least .300 on the season. 
 
Driving those runners in has been another story.
 
Alabama State left the bases loaded twice without scoring as the Lady Hornets fell to nonconference opponent Jacksonville State 6-1 on Tuesday at University Field. 
  
The Lady Hornets (11-26) got their run when junior first baseman Carly Evans drove it down left field line for her fifth home run of the season in the top of the fourth inning.  
 
ASU nearly had a much bigger inning, but the Lady Hornets left runners stranded on base. 
 
The team batted 3-for-12 with runners on base. 
 
After Evans' home run, Kendall Core started with a single before Brittney Wilson was hit by a pitch. 
 
With one out, Diauna Nelson hit a sharply ball toward the hole between second and first.  

However, the ball touched Wilson, the base runner, and was called out on interference for the second out of the inning. 
 
Jazzmin Romero walked to set up bases loaded, but the Lady Hornets left all three on without scoring another run. 
 
JSU took advantage of an error that opened the door for two unearned runs on starter Chelsea King (1-3) in the first inning. 
 
The Gamecocks (25-11) pushed the lead to 4-0 in the second on a solo home run by sophomore lefty Stephanie Lewis and a RBI double by Sara Borders. 
 
King departed after pitching two innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits. 
 
The Lady Hornets also had a golden opportunity in the second inning when Evans drew a walk, Core reached on a fielder's choice and Wilson singled to left. 
 
But, once again, ASU was unable to get anything across and left three runners stranded. 
 
It left seven on base for the game. 
 
Next, ASU will play at Mississippi Valley State for a three-game conference series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. 
 
The teams will meet for a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. 
 
Live stats can be followed at http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/
 
Tweets will be made throughout the game @ASUBUZZ. 
 
#GOHORNETS#