MOBILE, Ala. – Charlene Castro connected for the first home run of the season for the Alabama State University softball team, but it wasn't enough as the Lady Hornets fell 8-3 to Houston Baptist University on the second day of the Sand Dollar Invitational Saturday morning.
 
Castro belted a two-run blast to left center for Alabama State (0-3) in the sixth inning to highlight the offensive effort on the day. The hit was one of two for Castro, who was the lone player with multiple hits on the day for the Lady Hornets. Perry Hindi added a double for Alabama State as she finished the day 1-for-2 with a pair of runs scored, while Kendall Core finished 1-of-2 with a run batted in.
 
The Lady Hornets got on the board in the fourth inning to trim the Houston Baptist lead to 3-1 when Hindi led off the inning with a double, followed by a wild pitch to move her to third. She scored as the next batter, Core, singled to right to drive home the first run of the day for Alabama State. The Lady Hornets were able to get on the board again in the sixth when Hindi drew a one-out walk before Castro launched the ball to left center for her first home run of the season.
 
Vanessa Bradford (0-2) suffered the loss on the mound after working the first two innings scoreless. She logged four innings on the mound, allowing five runs (just two earned) on six hits, while striking out four and walking five. Justine Jean came on in relief, working the last two innings and allowing three runs off of four hits.
 
Alabama State returns to action in the final day of the Sand Dollar Invitational Sunday against Central Arkansas at 10 am, followed by South Alabama at 3 pm. The game against the Lady Jags to close out the tournament will be streamed live JagNation TV.
 
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