MONTGOMERY, Ala. – After belting three home runs in the first game of the day, Alabama State University followed that up with a pair in the nightcap as the Lady Hornets advanced to Saturday with a 10-1 run-rule victory over the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
 
Alabama State (19-32) jumped on top of the Lady Lions with a four run second inning, highlighted by the first home run of the game. Perry Hindi reached on a one-out double down the right field line, scoring on a Diauna Nelson single through the left side to give Alabama State a 1-0 lead. The Lady Hornets extended that lead when Alexia Boggess hit the first pitch from UAPB starter Angelique Ramos (11-9) over the wall in right center for a 3-0 lead.
 
The Lady Hornets would add another run in the frame when Brittney Wilson singled and stole second with two outs. She scored on a Laura Aguilar double to the gap in left center for a 4-0 lead.
 
Alabama State, the lone East Division team remaining in the tournament, added two more runs in the fourth when Wilson reached on a one-out double to left to jumpstart the rally for the Lady Hornets. She stole third and later scored on an Aguilar fielder's choice, sliding around the tag of Paige Garcia at the plate to give Alabama State a 5-0 lead. Aguilar would score after a Kaylee Davis bunt, drawing a throwback to second that ended up in the outfield and allowed the senior to give Alabama State a 6-0 lead.
 
UAPB was able to put a run on the board in the bottom half of the fourth, but Alabama State put the game away in the top of the sixth inning leading 6-1.
 
Boggess doubled with one out, before Aguilar came up with a two-out infield single to put runners at first and third. Hailey Walker, making her first appearance of the tournament, drew a two-out walk setting the stage for Valerie Centeno. The senior drove a 2-0 pitch over the right center field wall for the team's first grand slam of the season, giving Alabama State a 10-1 lead.
 
Justine Jean (6-12) closed the door on UAPB (20-24) in the seventh for the win to send Alabama State to the 10 am game against Southern tomorrow at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
 
Jean finished the complete game effort scattering four hits and allowing just one run – her first earned run of the tournament – while striking out three.
 
Aguilar finished 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and RBI, while Boggess and Wilson each finished 2-for-3 and two runs scored with Boggess collecting a pair of RBI. Centeno and Hindi each finished 2-for-4 in the win.
 
The winner of the Alabama State-Southern contest must beat Texas Southern twice on Saturday, beginning at 2 pm. 
 
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