MONTGOMERY, AL – There has been some very close softball games in recent days for Alabama State and the Lady Hornets have experienced what it's like to have been on both ends of the win-loss column.
 
After consecutive one-run victories against Savannah State (4-3 in eight innings and 9-8) this past Saturday, the Lady Hornets (7-14) were on the unfortunate end of some hard-luck losses this past Sunday against Montevallo (4-3) and Tuesday at home against Middle Tennessee State (5-4). 
 
Overall, ASU could easily have their record flipped around as the team has now lost eight games this season by a margin of two runs or fewer.  
 
"We're playing better competition and we're playing better as a team," said second-year ASU head coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson.
 
"I definitely think that it's going to prepare us for the future and the conference tournament.  We'll know how to handle extra innings games, how to come through in the clutch, move runners and give us the opportunity to win those ball games.  Years ago, these types of games might not even have been close.  Now, we're at the point where we are competing against teams with high caliber programs." 
 
Alabama State now prepares to host a doubleheader against an Ohio Valley Conference opponent in Tennessee State (5-12) on Thursday beginning at 3 p.m.
 
The Tigers have been led by junior left-hander Courtney Gearlds, who is hitting a team-best .378 with 14 runs scored. 
 
Gearlds has yet to be caught on the base paths as she is 8-for-8 on stolen base attempts. 
 
Live stats can be followed here:  http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/
 
Live in-game updates and additional pictures can be found on Twitter @ASUBUZZ. 
 
Admission is free. 
 
We're going streaking
Junior second baseman Laura Aguilar has affixed herself at the top of the Lady Hornets lineup.
 
Aguilar extended her hitting streak to 10 straight with a 1-for-4 performance on Tuesday. 
 
She's now hitting .375 on the season with 24 hits, the second most in the conference.
 
Milestone watch
Senior catcher Aleesa Yanez upped her batting average to .290 after yesterday's 2-for-3 effort with a double and a RBI. 
 
Yanez is now one away from tying former head coach and player Telma O'Neal for sixth all-time in hits with 147. 
 
Yanez is batting 18-for-62 on the season with six doubles, one triple, one home run and 10 RBI. 
 
Drive 'em in
Yanez has also been steadily rising up the all-time school ranks in RBI. 
 
The four-year player has 88 career RBI and moved past Danielle Scott (played from 2000-2003) for seventh all-time in Alabama State softball history in RBI.
 
Straight to the Core
Junior third baseman has homered three times already this season (14 career) and now trails Ayeesa Famble (played from 2009-2012) by just one home run to tie her for third all-time in school history in home runs. 
 
#GOHORNETS#