MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama State softball team played sound ball for most of the day, but gave up a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning and lost a hard fought game 5-4 to Middle Tennessee on Tuesday at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
Middle Tennessee's Danielle Munoz delivered the winning hit that chased home Kirstyn Cuccia, who had doubled earlier in the inning.
In a tribute to those who serve this country, the Lady Hornets paid a tribute to members of the military from nearby Maxwell Air Force Base with special field escort introductions, a ceremonial first pitch by Chief Master Sergeant Laura A. Callaway, a presentation of the colors by the honor guard and a rendition of the national anthem.
Servicemen and servicewomen stuck around for the game, rooted on the Lady Hornets and watched from inside the dugout of Alabama State.
ASU (7-14) took the initial lead by going up 2-0 in the first inning on a RBI single by
Charlene Castro that drove in
Jenna Mae Thorne and a RBI double by
Aleesa Yanez, who knocked in
Kendall Core.
The Lady Hornets kept that lead until the third when ASU got into a bases loaded jam.
On a 1-2 pitch, Cuccia, Blue Raiders' right fielder, sent a ball over the right field fence for a grand slam to put Middle Tennessee on top 4-2.
It remained that score until the sixth inning when the Lady Hornets struck back with two runs on a RBI triple by
Valerie Centeno that plated pinch runner
Therese Byrne and a game-tying RBI single by
Alexia Boggess that brought home Centeno.
Yanez and Castro each had two hits for Alabama State.
Maddie Phelps (5-5) pitched a complete game for the Lady Hornets and allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and struck out three.
Kelci Cheney (7-6) also went the distance in the circle for the Blue Raiders (10-11) and allowed four runs on 10 hits.
Up next
The Lady Hornets will continue the home stand Thursday with a doubleheader scheduled against Tennessee State of the Ohio Valley Conference at 3 p.m.
Live stats can be followed here:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/
In-game updates and pictures can be found on Twitter@ASUBUZZ.
Admission is free.
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