Box Score

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.

The Lady Hornets jumped out to an early lead, scoring in each of the first three innings and holding off a late charge by Texas Southern 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 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.

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.

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.

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.