ITTA BENA, Miss. | Alabama State scored 18 runs on 16 hits in an 18-2 run-rule win over Mississippi Valley State Delta Devilettes on Sunday.
Eight of the 16 hits were for extra bases that included four doubles, three triples and a home run.
Freshman Kohana Pousson (2-2) got the win for Alabama State (15-17, ). The right-hander went four innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on three hits, allowing one walk and striking out three.
Gardner's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 2-for-3 day, and included a double, a triple and an RBI. Denby made her contribution with a triple, a home run and two RBI, part of a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Sophomore Alana Scott also chipped in for the Hornets, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double and four RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning. Alabama State's offense started clicking and put up 10 runs, including a two-run double off the bat of Scott.
The Delta Devilettes then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 10-1 until the Hornets expanded their advantage in the second. The Alabama State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a one-run flyout off the bat of freshman Kendall Smiley, which brought the score to 14-1 in favor of the Hornets.
Mississippi Valley State narrowed Alabama State's lead to 14-2 before the Hornets stretched the advantage to 17-2 in the fourth inning.
Alabama State held the Delta Devilettes scoreless before their offense got in gear the next inning. The Hornets scored once on an RBI single off the bat of senior Elizabeth Williams, bringing the score to 18-2 in favor of Alabama State. The score remained 18-2 for the rest of the game, as the Hornets coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» The Hornets had both Denby and Gardner smack multiple extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Scott drove in four runs for Alabama State.
» Every Alabama State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed 10 runs across.
» Alabama State took a 10-1 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Five Hornets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Hornets had a total of 16 hits.
» The Hornets out-hit the Delta Devilettes at a 16-4 clip.
» Alabama State went 11-for-20 (.550) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 22 Mississippi Valley State hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and three fly balls while striking out three.
» Denby led the Hornets at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run and two RBI.
» Mississippi Valley State was led offensively by junior Jade Smith, who went 2-for-3.
UP NEXT: Alabama Stat trevels to Birmingham, Ala.,, to battle Samford University on Wdnesday at 5 p.m.
