MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University held off a late push from Florida A&M to secure a 9-8 victory in a back-and-forth SWAC softball contest Friday at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
The Hornets (10-21, 4-3 SWAC) built an early cushion and then survived a sixth-inning rally by the Rattlers to clinch the one-run win.
Alabama State wasted no time offensively, scoring four runs in the first inning. An RBI sacrifice fly from Brooke Ramsey opened the scoring before Ayana Frank delivered an RBI single. The Hornets capitalized on defensive miscues, adding two more unearned runs, including an RBI single from Braylin Cook to take a 4-0 lead.
Florida A&M (14-13, 5-2 SWAC) answered in the second inning when A. Canty launched a grand slam to left field, tying the game at 4-4.
The Hornets regained control in the bottom of the second. A passed ball allowed Alana Scott to score, and Frank added her second RBI single of the game to give Alabama State a 6-4 advantage.
After the Rattlers cut the deficit to 6-5 in the third on an RBI double by Makayla Register, Alabama State created separation again in the fifth inning. The Hornets plated three runs — all unearned — taking advantage of two Florida A&M errors. Cook drove in a run on a miscue, Meshayla Pettaway added an RBI single, and Scott brought home another run on an error to extend the lead to 9-5.
Florida A&M mounted its final push in the sixth inning. Jamison Townsend delivered a two-run double, and Keeligh Spooner followed with an RBI single to trim the deficit to 9-8. However, Alabama State pitcher Kohana Pousson shut the door, retiring four of the final five batters, including a strikeout to end the game.
Pousson (5-5) earned the win in relief, allowing three runs on four hits with five strikeouts over 4.1 innings. Amanda Cintron started for Alabama State, giving up five runs on five hits in 2.2 innings.
Samantha Smith (5-4) took the loss for Florida A&M, surrendering five runs — just one earned — over 5.2 innings in relief.
Frank led Alabama State at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Cook added a hit and two RBI. Addison Giles paced the Hornets with three hits, and Scott scored twice and drove in a run.
For Florida A&M, Townsend went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Canty drove in four runs on her grand slam. Register added a double and an RBI in the loss.
Alabama State and Florida A&M wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.
