ACWORTH, Ga. | Alabama State dropped their first game of the HBCU Tournament, falling to Tennessee State 4-1 Saturday morning at Patriot Park.

Alabama State (8-9) fell behind early as Tennessee State scored in the first inning when Beckey Melton singled up the middle to score Bri Vire for the 1-0 lead. The Tigers were able to add to the lead when Melton drove in her second run of the game on an infield single to score Kierra Ware.

Tennessee State (3-7) added two more runs in the fifth to push the lead to 4-0 when Katie Schneider doubled to center to score Vine. Savannah Wallace singled to left center to drive in Schneider for the final Tigers' run.

Alabama State got on the board in the bottom half of the fifth inning for their only run of the game when Alexis Sydnor reached on a Tennessee State error, allowing Aimee Felices to score on the play.

Tennessee State was able to get nine hits off of Alabama State starter Justine Jean (4-4), who pitched a complete game and struck out five. Meanwhile, Raven Loveless (2-2) picked up the win for Tennessee State working a complete game, allowing just five hits and striking out a pair.

Kristin Gunter was the lone Alabama State player to pick up multiple hits in the game, finishing 2-for-3 in the tournament opener.

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