MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State claimed a series victory over Jackson State, splitting the doubleheader in their home finale Saturday afternoon and using a walk-off home run by
Natalia Rivera in the nightcap to win 8-7.
Game One - Jackson State 9, Alabama State 5
Jackson State used a pair of runs early to take a lead over the Lady Hornets, until Alabama State came back with three runs in the fifth to take a 3-2 lead. In that inning,
Kaitlyn Kilner scored on an error by Jackson State, before
Vanessa Bradford singled to right to drive in a pair of runs.
Jackson State was able to take back the lead at 4-3 with a pair of runs in the sixth, before adding five in the seventh for a 9-3 lead.
Alabama State (19-26, 9-5 SWAC) scored a pair of runs in the final stanza using a single by
Kimberlee Owens and another by
Hailey Walker for the final margin.
Kaylee Davis and Walker each finished with a pair of hits in the loss for Alabama State.
Sklyer Sullivan (5-9) suffered the loss, working seven innings and allowing 12 hits while striking out seven in the loss.
Game Two - Alabama State 8, Jackson State 7
Alabama State trailed 7-5 with just two innings left to play and was in danger of dropping their series until
Hatty Shope singled home
Aimee Felices to draw them within one at 7-6, and setting the stage for the last inning.
After a one-out single by
Marina Clark, Rivera stepped to the plate and drilled a 2-1 pitch over the left field fence to give the Lady Hornets the victory in front of alumni and friends as the Lady Hornets were celebrating their 20th year reunion.
The Lady Hornets led most of the way in the finale, grabbing a 5-0 lead through the first three innings, before Jackson State was able to comeback and take the lead with a five-run sixth inning.
Shope finished the second game 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and a pair of runs batted in, while Clark and Rivera each picked up a pair of hits.
Justine Jean (9-9) pitched a complete game for the win, scattering 11 hits and striking out six.
Alabama State travels to Alcorn State Tuesday afternoon for a conference makeup game that was postponed earlier this month due to weather.
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