HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Alabama State University softball swept a doubleheader from Alabama A&M University by the scores of 5-3 and 11-2 on Saturday. The wins helped Alabama State sweep the three-game SWAC series 3-0.
GAME 1 | Alabama State 5, Alabama A&M 3
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The Alabama State Hornets took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 5-3 win over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on Saturday.
Amanda Cintron (4-6) started in the circle and picked up the win for Alabama State (12-24, 6-5). The right-hander went five innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on four hits, allowing four walks and striking out four. Kohana Pousson also made an impact in the circle for the Hornets, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing one hit, with no walks and four strikeouts.
In the batter's box, the Hornets were led by Brooke Ramsey, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a home run, a walk, and three RBIs. Jaibriel Terrell put together a standout performance as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Alana Scott also contributed for Alabama State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a double and two walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Alabama State put up two runs in the inning, scoring once off of McKenna Furnari on a solo home run from Ramsey.
The Hornets then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the second inning after the Bulldogs cut it to 2-1. Alabama State scored a run when Ramsey drew a walk from Furnari that scored Meshayla Pettaway, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Hornets.
Alabama State held Alabama A&M without a run before building their lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning.
The Bulldogs fought back, closing the gap to 4-3 until Alabama State added some insurance in the sixth. The Hornets drove home a run on Terrell's one-out RBI double, bringing the Alabama State advantage to 5-3. The score remained 5-3 for the rest of the game, as the Hornets held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» The Hornets power output was led by Brooke Ramsey, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» Alabama State grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Four Hornets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Hornets out-hit the Bulldogs at a 12-5 clip.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 32 Alabama A&M hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out eight.
» The Hornets drew five walks from Alabama A&M pitching.
» Brooke Ramsey led the Hornets at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
» Alabama A&M was led offensively by Kali Austerman, who went 1 for 3 with a triple.
» Kara Burman led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing four innings of two-run ball.
GAME 2 | Alabama State 11, Alabama A&M 3
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Talee Sims racked up four RBI to help lead the Alabama State Hornets over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 11-3 on Saturday.
Kohana Pousson (6-6) started in the circle and picked up the win for Alabama State (12-24, 6-5). The right-hander went five innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on five hits, allowing no walks and striking out six.
Sims went 3-for-3 with a double in addition to her four RBI for the Hornets. Tiffany Bruss compiled a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Ayana Frank also helped out for Alabama State, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Alabama State's offense started clicking and put up six runs, including a two-run double off the bat of Bruss and a two-run double from Sims.
The Bulldogs then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 5-1 until the Hornets expanded their advantage in the second. Alabama State plated two runs off of Alabama A&M pitching, punctuated by a run-scoring double off the bat of Bruss, which brought the Hornets lead to 7-1.
Alabama State held Alabama A&M without a run before expanding their lead to 9-1 the following inning.
The Bulldogs gained ground, closing the gap to 9-2 until Alabama State added some insurance in the fifth. The Hornets scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Talee Sims, bringing the score to 10-2 in favor of Alabama State.
GAME NOTES
» Alabama State got three-hit games from both Frank and Talee Sims.
» Pousson struck out six Bulldogs hitters.
» The Hornets' power output was led by Bruss, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Talee Sims drove in four runs for Alabama State.
» Every Alabama State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Alabama State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed six runs across.
» Alabama State grabbed a 6-1 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Five Hornets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Hornets out-hit the Bulldogs at a 14-5 clip.
» Alabama State went 9-for-14 (.643) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers limited Alabama A&M to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 22 Alabama A&M hitters in the game, allowing one ground ball and eight fly balls while striking out six.
» Talee Sims led the Hornets at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a double and four RBI.
» Alabama A&M was led offensively by Tori Green, who went 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI.
» Kara Burman led the Bulldogs' pitching staff, throwing two innings of one-run ball.
Alabama State returns to the diamond against Jacksonville State on Tuesday in Jacksonville, Ala.
