MONTGOMERYy, Ala. | --The Alabama State Hornets took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 5-1 victory against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devilettes on Friday.
Freshman Ana Richiez (6-1) got the win for Alabama State (18-23, ). The left-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on seven hits, allowing one walk and striking out five.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Jaeda Gardner came across to score the lone run of the inning for Alabama State and get them on the board.
The Delta Devilettes then tied the ballgame at one before the Hornets came back to reclaim their advantage in the second inning. Junior Alexia Denby came across to score the lone run of the inning for Alabama State, which brought the Hornets lead to 2-1.
Alabama State kept Mississippi Valley State without a run before expanding their lead to 4-1 the following inning. The Hornets recorded two runs when a single from sophomore Brooke Ramsey scored Gardner and senior Kindal DeRamus.
Alabama State held the Delta Devilettes scoreless before their offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Junior Leah Richardson crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Hornets, bringing the Alabama State advantage to 5-1. The score remained 5-1 for the rest of the game, as the Hornets coasted to the win.
GAME NOTES
» Richiez struck out five Delta Devilettes hitters.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» Alabama State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Gardner stole two bases in Friday's game.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 29 Mississippi Valley State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out five.
» Ramsey led the Hornets at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two RBI.
» Mississippi Valley State was led offensively by freshman Aulora Edwards, who went 2-for-3.
» Freshman Maya Ramirez led the Delta Devilettes pitching staff, throwing six innings of five-run ball.
The series wraps up with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.
