MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Eastern Kentucky used a five-run fifth inning to pull away for a 6-2 win over Alabama State at the Barbara Williams Softball in the first game of the Black and Gold Tournament Friday night.
Alabama State (8-6) jumped on the board in the first on a single by
Kristin Gunter, before Eastern Kentucky added a run in the fourth to tie it and five in the fifth highlights by a home run and double steal. Alabama State was able to add another run in the seven for the final margin.
Vanessa Bradford (3-3) suffered the loss for the Lady Hornets, working 4.0 innings in the start and allowed three runs off of seven hits.
Charlene Castro came on in relief to work the final 3.0 innings and allowed three runs off of three hits with a strikeout.
Kaylee Davis led a pair of players with multiple hits, finishing the night 2-for-4 with a run scored; while
Alexis Sydnor finished 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
Vital Statistics
WP – Samantha Reynoso (4-1); 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
WP –
Vanessa Bradford (3-3); 4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
E – Destinee Lizzmore;
Aimee Felices;
Mackenzie Byrd. LOB - EKU 8; ALST 8. 2B – Mattira Morales;
Alexis Sydnor;
Jordan Amerson. HR – Destinee Lizzmore. HBP –
Alexis Sydnor;
Kristin Gunter. SB – Erica Bowers; Sammi Miller. CS –
Casey Durham.
How it Happened
Alabama State jumped on the board first when
Kristin Gunter singled to right field to score
Alexis Sydnor for the 1-0 Lady Hornets lead.
Eastern Kentucky got on the board for the first time in the contest in the fourth on a single to left by Carley Robinson to score Sammi Miller to tie the game at 1-all.
They would take the lead on a solo home run by Destinee Lizzmore in the fifth, before taking advantage of an Alabama State error to push the lead to 3-1. Eastern Kentucky added three more in the inning on a pair of hits – first by Miller, who then was part of a double steal to push the lead to 5-1, and then by Mattira Morales who doubled to left.
Alabama State added another run in the seventh when Sydnor doubled to right center to score
Kaylee Davis for the final margin.
What's Next
Alabama State returns to action in the tournament tomorrow at 5:30 against Southeastern Louisiana, before taking on Tennessee Tech in the nightcap.
Play in the tournament begins at 9 am at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex, and admission is free to the event.
Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University softball, follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateSB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.
