GULFPORT Miss. | The Alabama State University softball team kicked off its 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament campaign in dramatic fashion, edging Texas Southern University 5-4 in Game 1 at the Gulfport Sportsplex.

Alabama State won its 10th straight first round game in the SWAC Tournament, dating back to 2014 when Prairie View grabbed an 11-6 in on May 7 in Decatur, Ala.

The Lady Hornets (17-34) jumped out to an early lead, scoring in each of the first three innings and holding off a late charge by Texas Southern (13-24) to secure the victory. Alabama State tallied eight hits and capitalized on timely offense and solid relief pitching to advance in the tournament bracket.

Freshman Bailee Williams delivered a key moment in the third inning with a two-run triple that widened the Lady Hornets' lead. Williams finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Senior Alana Scott led the offensive charge, going 3-for-4 with a double, while Jaibriel Terrell, Talee Sims, and JaNiyah Boykin each added crucial RBI hits.

On the mound, Mason Quinnie (6-8) earned the win in relief, tossing four shutout innings, scattering four hits and walking just one batter. Kohana Pousson started the game, pitching three innings and keeping Alabama State ahead despite surrendering four runs on eight hits.

"Our players showed a lot of grit today," said Alabama State head coach Camise Patterson said. "We came out aggressive, executed when we needed to, and Mason [Quinnie] really steadied things late to close it out."

Texas Southern mounted a comeback in the third and fourth innings, cutting Alabama State's lead to just one run, but Quinnie and the Hornets' defense shut the door with a crucial double play to end the seventh inning and seal the win.

GAME NOTES

» Alabama State has won 10 straight SWAC Tournament opening round games.
» Junior Alana Scott had three base knocks for Alabama State.
» Williams led the Hornets at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a triple and two RBI.
» Alabama State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Alabama State went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 33 Texas Southern hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out one.
» Texas Southern was led offensively by Marisa Perla, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
» Freshman Kylie Wilson led the Tigers pitching staff, throwing seven innings of five-run ball.

The Lady Hornets advance to the next round of the SWAC Tournament to play the winner of Florida A&M/Grambling on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Gulfport Sportsplex.