ZACHARY, La. | Charlene Castro launched a two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and Alabama State opened the season with a 4-2 win against N.C. Central amid frigid conditions at the Chef Celeste Challenge.

The win was the first season-opening win for the Lady Hornets since a 2010 takedown of Savannah State (9-3).

Noteworthy

• Junior Vanessa Bradford pitched a complete game and struck out seven Lady Eagles while walking zero batters. The Atlanta, Ga. native also led Alabama State with two hits.
• The Lady Hornets (1-0) got on the board first in the third inning when senior Casey Durham smashed a triple to bring in Jordan Amerson.
• The Eagles (1-1) knotted the game in the fourth inning on a passed ball but were kept at bay by Bradford, leaving a runner stranded at second.
• Kristin Gunter walked in the top of the sixth, setting up the late heroics from Castro, blasting the Lady Hornets first home run of 2019 that easily cleared the fence.
• Alabama State continued the momentum in the inning with back-to-back-to-back singles from Amira James, Hailey Walker and Bradford. Junior Aimee Felices fielder's choice RBI brought James across, increasing the advantage to 4-1.
• After yielding an RBI triple, Bradford kept her composure, calmly setting down the final four batters she faced.
• Gunter was sterling defensively, making numerous critical plays to keep N.C. Central in check. She was also 1-3 with a walk and one double.

 Up Next

• Alabama State squares off with Howard at 2 pm for its second game of the Chef Celeste Softball Challenge.

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