MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State split a doubleheader with Jackson State to open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on Friday, dropping game one 3-0 before winning two 7-4 at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
 
Alabama State was held to just three hits in the opener while Charity Bibbs (4-5) suffered the loss in a complete-game effort giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits. She also struck out nine.
 
In game two, the two teams battled through the first four innings before Alabama State erupted for five runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The Lady Hornets used a three-run fifth inning to pull away and added two more in the sixth.
 
Kendall Smiley paced an eight-hit attack going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI, while six other Lady Hornets picked up a hit. Ana Richiez (4-0) stayed undefeated on the season working 5.0 innings allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts.
 
How It Happened (Game 1)

• (T2) Julie Lopez hit a solo home run to left to open the scoring, Jackson State 1-0.
• (T4) Mari Stephens stole second allowing Jalia Hubbard to score on the throw, Jackson State 2-0.
• (T6) Kaliyah Gipson drove in a run with a fielder's choice, Jackson State 3-0.

How It Happened (Game 2)

• (B1) Smiley scored after Alana Scott reached on a throwing error, Alabama State 1-0.
• (T2) Madison Perry reached on a fielder's choice to bring in a run, 1-1.
• (T3) Gipson reached on another fielder's choice to give the Tigers the lead, Jackson State 2-1.
• (B3) Jasmine Rogers tied the game up with a single to score Scott, 2-2.
• (T5) Gipson drove in another run with a triple to center, Jackson State 3-2.
• (B5) Leah Richardson singled to score Kindall DeRamus before Lauryn Maher tripled her home and scored on a wild pitch, Alabama State 5-3.
• (B6) Scott singled down the right field line to score DeRamus and Smiley for insurance, Alabama State 7-3.
• (T7) Hubbard hit a solo home run to left center, Alabama State 7-4.

Up Next
The two teams will meet in the final game of the series at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
 
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