PINE BLUFF Ark. | Alabama State looks to rebound following a midweek loss to North Alabama when they hit the field in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play against UAPB Friday for the beginning of a three-game set.

Alabama State (12-11, 3-0 SWAC) looks to remain unbeaten in conference play after sweeping their first series of the season over Grambling State last weekend. In that series, Alabama State outscored Grambling State 19-4 that included a run-rule victory in the series finale. In that series, Alexis Sydnor led the offensive attack with a .778 batting average and four extra base hits; while Justine Jean recorded a pair of victories in the circle.

This weekend, they will be facing a UAPB (0-20, 0-3 SWAC) team in search of their first victory of the season. The Lady Lions dropped a pair of games to LSU-Alexandria and one to Mississippi Valley State this week in midweek action, just days after dropping a series to Alabama A&M in conference play.

Sydnor leads the Alabama State attack offensively, hitting at a .453 clip with nine extra base hits – including six doubles, a triple and home run. She has scored 18 runs on the season and driven in another 17 on the year. Meanwhile, Vanessa Bradford is hitting .444 in 27 official at-bats with a pair of home runs, and Teah Steel is at .360 with three extra base hits.

Kristin Gunter is the only other Lady Hornet over .300, hitting at a .319 clip with 12 runs scored and 11 runs batted in. She also has five doubles and a triple on the year for the Lady Hornets, who are hitting .284 as a team.

In the circle, Alabama State has posted a .288 earned run average as a team – including a 1.44 ERA from Charlene Castro (2-1) in 10 appearances on the season, with one start. Justine Jean (3.08, 3.08 ERA) leads the team in wins and appearances, as well as innings pitched and strikeouts on the season; while Bradford (4-5) has made 10 starts in the circle.

The series begins with a single game at 1 pm Friday afternoon, and concludes with a doubleheader beginning at 1 pm Saturday.

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