MONTGOMERY, Ala. – It's one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference's fiercest rivalries. 
 
And, it doesn't seem to matter what sport is being played—it usually brings out the best in competition between the schools.
 
Jackson State and Alabama State will get together in softball for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. from the Barbara Williams Softball Complex to renew their conference rivalry.
 
The series continues with a Saturday doubleheader with a first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
The SWAC Digital Network will be live streaming Saturday's games at SWAC.ORG.
 
Follow live stats for all three games here: http://www.sidearmstats.com/alasu/softball/
 
It will also be Youth Weekend as kids are encouraged to attend the weekend series and will have the opportunity to run the bases after the completion of the day's games. 
 
The Bellingrath Middle School choir is also expected to be on hand to be special guests and sing the national anthem prior to Saturday's games.   
 
The teams split last season's meetings two games apiece with Jackson State taking two of three in Mississippi by the scores of 12-11 and 5-4.  ASU topped Jackson State 10-3 on the opening day of the series. 
 
ASU responded by defeating JSU 6-0 in the SWAC Playoffs in Decatur, Ala, last May 8. 
 
Alabama State (18-20 overall, 9-0 SWAC) will look to bounce back after Tuesday's 6-0 defeat at Georgia State, which halted a three-game winning streak.
 
The Lady Hornets have dominated the SWAC thus far in 2016 as the team is hitting a lofty .398 as a team against the conference.
 
Newcomers Charlene Castro and Alexia Boggess haven't had much trouble in making the adjustment to SWAC play. 
 
Castro, a freshman from Natalia, TX, leads the team against the SWAC with a .600 batting average (15-for-25) with one home run and a team-high 14 RBI.
 
Boggess has brought up her power numbers against the conference as the junior transfer from AUM has cracked all three of her home runs against the SWAC to go along with 10 RBI on a .500 batting average (11-for-22).
 
In the circle, Maddie Phelps (11-7) has locked down the conference with a 5-0 record versus SWAC opponents to go with a microscopic 0.64 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched. 
 
Jackson State (6-20 overall, 3-5 SWAC) has been led once again by the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year Canessa Swanson, who has not disappointed with a team-leading .425 batting average and 27 runs scored. 
 
Additionally, Swanson has been one to be mindful of on the base paths as the third baseman has stolen 10-of-13 bases. 
 
Sarah Gore has been a solid compliment to Swanson as the designated player is hitting .370 with three home runs and 10 RBI. 
 
In the circle, the Tigers have had their bouts with consistency.
 
Sierra Abbott and Merina Young are the top arms in the stable, and after some up and down performances, Abbott has started to settle in, notching a 4.71 ERA to go with a 2-6 record.
 
She leads the team in innings worked (65.1) and complete games (5).
 
Young is 2-7 on the season with a 4.85 ERA, leading the team in strikeouts (26).
 
Follow along with updates on the Alabama State twitter handle @ASUBUZZ and on Facebook at Alabama State Athletics. 
 
#GOHORNETS#