GULFPORT, Miss. — Alabama State University softball came up just short on Thursday afternoon as the Hornets fell 2-1 to Jackson State in the winners bracket of the 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball Tournament at the Gulfport Sportsplex.

The Hornets (18-35) showed rallied late but could not overcome the deficit. Jackson State (28-22) used a pair of early runs — one in each of the first two innings — to build a lead they never relinquished.

Ayana Frank sparked the Alabama State offense with a double in the sixth inning, eventually coming around to score on Jaibriel Terrell's bunt single, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Terrell finished 1-for-3 with the lone RBI for the Hornets.

Brooke Ramsey and Bailee Williams also chipped in with hits, while Ramsey reached base twice with a hit and a walk.

In the circle, Kohana Pousson delivered a stellar relief performance, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings while allowing no hits, walking two, and striking out one. Starter Mason Quinnie (6-9) was tagged with the loss after surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits over 1.1 innings.

Jackson State capitalized early, scoring in the bottom of the first on a wild pitch after three consecutive singles. They added their second run in the second inning on a throwing error.

Despite Alabama State's late-game surge, Jackson State pitcher Brooklyn Morris (12-8) went the distance, scattering four hits and allowing one run over seven innings.
Defensively, both teams turned in strong efforts. Alabama State turned a double play, and the Hornets were error-free after the second inning.

The Hornets' await the winner of Florida A&M/Bethune-Cookman in an elimination game on Friday at 10:30 a.m.