MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State University softball team fell to ninth-ranked Auburn University 14-1 at Lagoon Park Wednesday night in front of an announced crowd of 1503.
 
"I am happy for the community of Montgomery," Alabama State head coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson said. "That was the big thing was to get the fans out to see two college teams play. I like to see the stands packed, and it was great for the game. I am really proud of our team for fighting and competing. Things didn't quite go our way, but we competed the whole game. We pushed ourselves to not give in when things were getting tough."
 
Alabama State (14-29) had their chances against the nationally-ranked Tigers, getting runners on in each of the first five innings and out-hitting Auburn through the first four innings. However, Auburn's defense turned three double plays against Alabama State to end the first, second and fourth innings; while the Lady Hornets had chances in the third and fifth innings to put runs on the board with runners in scoring position.
 
"I think we were just trying to stretch the plays a little too much," Wilcoxson said. "We were trying to be aggressive against a team that is really good and competes against the best teams in the country. I admire our aggressiveness and that the kids were pushing the envelope, but we killed ourselves with base running mistakes when we were getting hits and had people in scoring position."
 
The Lady Hornets got their run in the fourth inning after a Kaylee Davis lead-off single, followed by a walk to Valerie Centeno. Kendall Core moved both runners up 60 feet against Auburn starter Ashley Swindle (2-0), before Perry Hindi drove a pitch to deep center to score Davis with a sacrifice fly.
 
Auburn (40-8) was held scoreless by freshman Vanessa Bradford for the first two innings, until they were able to plate four in the top of third inning to put the game away. The Tigers were held to just one hit in the inning, however, they were the beneficiaries of four walks to get runners on base. The only hit of the inning proved costly for Alabama State as Alyssa Rivera drove a two-strike pitch up the middle to score the first two runs of the game.
 
The Tigers scored three more in the fourth inning when All-American third baseman Kasey Cooper belted a first-pitch, three-run home run to center to put Auburn up 7-0; before putting the game out of reach in the sixth.
 
Bradford (9-11) was tagged with the loss as she worked 3.2 innings (both as the starter and coming out of the bullpen), allowing just five runs (three earned) on just four hits. Justine Jean came out of the pen to work 2.1 innings for the Lady Hornets. Offensively, Aguilar led Alabama State with a pair of hits; while seven of the nine starters got hits on the night for the Lady Hornets.

Alabama State returns to action this weekend with a three-game set at Mississippi Valley State, beginning with a single game on Friday night.
 
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