MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State salvaged a split in a pair of games Friday after claiming a 3-1 victory against previously unbeaten Grambling State in the Lady Hornets' nightcap of the Black and Gold Tournament.

Junior Justine Jean (3-2) was brilliant once again, limiting the Lady Tigers' (6-1) prolific lineup to just six hits and one run.  The Levittown, N.Y native retired Grambling's Rikkelle Miller – the conference batting average leader – in all three plate appearances, which included a strikeout. Outfielder Alexis Sydnor paced Alabama State (6-5) with two hits and one RBI

Presbyterian 8 Alabama State 3
After finding itself in an early 5-0 deficit, Alabama State clawed back into the game with a single run in the third inning and two in the fourth. Aimee Felices opened the third inning with an infield single and came around to score when freshman Alexis Massie drove a sacrifice fly to center field to get the Lady Hornets on the board. Vanessa Bradford and Kimberlee Owens opened the fourth inning with back-to-back singles and Alabama State took advantage of a wild pitch and a passed ball to plate two more.
The Blue Hose pushed across two runs in the sixth to cap the scoring.
 
Charlene Castro reached base safely in two out of four plate appearances (single, walk). She also scattered six hits across 5.1 innings of relief, striking out five Presbyterian batters while allowing just two earned runs.
 
What's next
Alabama State has another doubleheader tomorrow with games against UMKC (5:30) and Howard (7:30) at the Barbara Williams softball complex.
 
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