GULFPORT, Miss. --The Alabama State Hornets took a 3-0 lead in the second inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 7-3 win against the Prairie View A&M Panthers on Tuesday.

Freshman Kohana Pousson (5-6) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Alabama State (26-27). The right-hander went three innings, giving up one run on three hits. Junior Charity Bibbs also made an impact in the circle for the Hornets, starting the ballgame and throwing three shutout innings while allowing two hits, with four walks and four strikeouts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hornets got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Alabama State scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of junior Alexia Denby.

The Panthers failed to push any runs across before the Hornets built on their lead in the fifth inning. Alabama State brought home a pair, with one run driven in by senior Kindal DeRamus' single, which brought the Hornets lead to 5-0.

Prairie View A&M narrowed Alabama State's lead to 5-1 before the Hornets stretched the advantage to 7-1 in the sixth inning. The Hornets drove two runs across on a two-run double from sophomore Jasmine Rogers that scored sophomore JaNiyah Boykin and Pousson. Prairie View A&M put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Alabama State still coasted to the 7-3 win.

GAME NOTES

» Denby picked up three hits in the game for Alabama State.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Hornets had control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Panthers 3-0 in the top of the second.
» The Hornets out-hit the Panthers at an 11-9 clip.
» Alabama State went 4-for-8 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 38 Prairie View A&M hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out four.
» Denby led the Hornets at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI.
» Prairie View A&M was led offensively by senior Destinee Smith, who went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Junior Cailin Massey led the Panthers pitching staff, throwing two innings of two-run ball.

UP NEXT

The Hornets will match-up with Jackson State Wednesday at 6 p.m.