OXFORD, Ala. – The Alabama State University softball team dropped a pair of games at the Leon Smith Classic Sunday, falling to Valparaiso and Southeast Missouri State to close out the weekend.
The Lady Hornets gave up a pair of runs in each the third and fourth innings, and it was too much to overcome in the 5-2 loss to Valparaiso (10-4) to open play on Sunday.
Alabama State (5-17) was held to six hits throughout the contest, with
Kaylee Davis being the only player to pick up multiple hits as she finished 2-for-3 on the day. Four other players picked up one hit each in the loss, including senior third baseman
Kendall Core who hit her third home run of the week – and seventh of the season in the fourth inning to close the scoring for both teams.
Justine Jean (0-6) suffered the loss in the opener, finishing with a complete game effort. She gave up five runs (all earned), while scattering eight hits and striking out.
Alabama State fell in their final game of the tournament against the host school Southeast Missouri State, falling 8-1 Sunday afternoon. The two teams battled through the first three innings, with Southeast Missouri State leading 2-0, before they were able to plate five in the top of the fourth inning to widen the margin.
The Lady Hornets scored their lone run in the sixth inning when
Natalia Rivera reached on a fielding error, and was later lifted for a pinch runner in
Brittney Wilson. Wilson later came around to score on a Castro single up the middle for the Lady Hornets.
Valerie Centeno (triple),
Charlene Castro and
Laura Aguilar each picked up a hit in the loss by Alabama State in the finale.
Vanessa Bradford (5-5) suffered the loss, going 3.2 innings in the start and allowing seven runs (all earned) off of eight hits. She also finished with a strikeout and four walks.
Castro came on in relief, logging 3.1 innings and allowing just one run off of two hits.
Alabama State returns to action Tuesday against Southern Miss at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex, with first pitch scheduled for 5 pm.
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