HAMMOND, La. | Alabama State began its 2020 season Friday by falling to UT Martin, 5-0, and host Southeastern Louisiana, 12-4, in the Lion Classic at North Oak Park.
 
Game One – Alabama State 0, UT Martin 5
The Lady Hornets started strong but weren't able to hold back UT Martin in both teams' 2020 season opener. Alabama State kicked things off with a leadoff single from freshman Kindall DeRamus, but she was stranded on second to end an early threat. DeRamus finished 2-for-3 in her collegiate debut.
 
Justine Jean (0-1) struck out the side in a perfect first, then followed it up with a 1-2-3 second in the circle. Jean ended up wearing the loss in the contest after allowing five runs on five hits in four innings of work.
 
Also with multiple hits for the Hornets was junior college transfer Kaley Anthony, who began her career at Alabama State 2-for-3 with a couple of singles.
 
The Skyhawks (1-0) put together a big third inning to open things up, then added two more runs for good measure in the bottom of the fourth. Paige Clark and Madelyn Dycus combined for four of UT Martin's five hits in the game – both with a run scored and a run driven in.
 
Game Two – Alabama State 4, Southeastern Louisiana 12
Alabama State closed opening day against the host of the Lion Classic, Southeastern Louisiana, and fell in five innings due to an eight-run rule.
 
The big blow came in the third in which the Lions scored five runs on six hits and an ASU error. In the end, the Lions racked up their 12 runs on 15 hits – paced by multi-hit games from six different players.
 
DeRamus continued her extraordinary performance at the plate with a 3-for-3 outing in the game. Altogether, the Helena, Ala., native was responsible for five of Alabama State's 10 hits Friday.
 
Kaley Anthony drove in one of the Lady Hornets' runs in the four-run fourth, singling through the left side to score Aishja Wilcher. Kimberlee Owens brought home two more on a ball hit up the middle that she was able to leg out – but it was ruled that she reached on a throwing error, taking away the two RBIs.
 
Vanessa Bradford (0-1) suffered the loss in the circle to start her senior campaign.
 
Up Next
Alabama State will continue its journey through the Lion Classic with a couple of games against SWAC foe Grambling State at UT Martin Saturday. The games are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.
 
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