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GULFPORT, Miss. --The Alabama State Hornets took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 4-1 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Thursday. The Hornets advance to play Florida A&M on Friday at 10:30 a.m.

A win over the Rattlers would put the Hornets in the SWAC championship game, with game one set for Friday at 2:30 p.m.

Freshman Kohana Pousson (6-6) started in the circle and picked up the win for Alabama State (28-28). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on four hits, allowing one walk and striking out two.

In the batter's box, the Hornets were led by junior Alexia Denny, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a double and three RBI. Senior Kindal DeRamus furnished a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. DeRamus came across to score the lone run of the inning for Alabama State and get them on the board.

The Hornets then held the Wildcats scoreless before expanding their lead in the third inning. Denby's bases-clearing double was the offense in a three-run inning for Alabama State, which brought the score to 4-0 in favor of the Hornets. Bethune-Cookman put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Alabama State still held on for the 4-1 win.

GAME NOTES
» Alabama State's highest-scoring inning was the third when it pushed three runs across.
» 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.
» The Hornets out-hit the Wildcats at a 6-4 clip.
» Alabama State went 2-for-4 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Alabama State pitchers faced 26 Bethune-Cookman hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out two.
» Denby led the Hornets at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI.
» Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by junior Essence Gibbs, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
» Junior Halyne Gonzalez led the Wildcats pitching staff, throwing seven innings of four-run ball.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.