2016 SWAC Softball Tournament: Day One Recaps
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Alabama State 9, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0 (F/5)
Box Score
IRONDALE, Ala. – Maddie Phelps (17-11) threw a one-hit shutout to lead Alabama State to a 9-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff during day one of the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament.
The Lady Hornets (25-25, 15-3 SWAC) opened up the contest in their favor with an eight-run outburst in the fourth inning. Jenna Mae Thorne led off with a triple, and Kendall Core delivered a two-run shot to extend Alabama State’s lead. Charlene Castro followed with a homer of her own, later capping the scored with a RBI single after three more runs had scored.
Core was 3-for-3 with four RBI, and Castro, Thorne and Valerie Centeno each had two hits apiece.
Phelps delivered a workman-like effort for her 17th win of the year, striking out three. Monique Nikolao had the lone hit for UAPB.
Alabama State will face Southern in the next round at 2:30 p.m., while UAPB will tangle with Mississippi Valley State at 5 p.m.
Texas Southern 9, Alabama A&M 1 (F/5)
Box Score
IRONDALE, Ala. – Texas Southern downed Alabama A&M 9-1 in opening-round action during the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament at Shea Brothers Softball Complex.
The Lady Tigers (25-16, 16-2 SWAC) scored nine unanswered after Alabama A&M (11-34, 9-9 SWAC) took a 1-0 lead early on. The fourth inning saw the Tigers – who led 4-1 at the time – put it out of reach, as Amber Garza (1-for-2, 4 RBI) capped a four-run inning with a two-run single to centerfield that pushed the Tigers’ lead to 8-1. Haley Smith (2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI) also had a RBI in the frame.
Dominique Tello (3-for-3, 2 RBI) collected her second RBI of the game in the bottom of the fifth to force the run-rule win. Jasmine Fulmore struck out six in the complete game win. Imani Largin and Kia Lang each had two hits for the Bulldogs.
Texas Southern will square off against the Lady Braves of Alcorn State at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, and AAMU will take on Prairie View at 5 p.m.
Alcorn State 3, Prairie View A&M 1
Box Score
IRONDALE, Ala. – Paige Breal struck out 10 batters as Alcorn State defeated Prairie View A&M 3-1 in the opening round of the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament.
The Lady Braves (16-26, 11-6 SWAC) were able to break open a pitcher’s duel in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Adriana Gutierrez led off with a double and Vanessa Sanders followed with a single, Montana Holyfield hit a two-run double to break a 1-1 tie.
That was enough for Breal, who scattered six hits and two walks over the game as she improved to 13-12 on the year. Hannah Vesper hit a solo homer in the game for ALCN as well. For PVAM (10-27, 7-11 SWAC), Shelby Williams was 1-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases.
Higgins issued four walks and allowed five hits in the loss. The Braves will play Texas Southern in the next round (2:30 p.m.), while PVAM will face Mississippi Valley State in the loser’s bracket at 5 p.m.
Southern 5, Mississippi Valley 4 Box Score IRONDALE, Ala. – Southern held off a late charge by Mississippi Valley State to prevail 5-4 in opening round action during the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament.
Southern (13-18, 9-9 SWAC) initially jumped ahead in the second inning thanks to a Ryann Hollis two-run double and a Shauna Knighten RBI base hit. After a Kiara Suttles RBI double made the game 5-0 Jaguars at the end of four, MVSU (13-27, 9-9 SWAC) began its rally.
Deja Talton put the Devilettes on the board with a RBI single, and Mississippi Valley added three more in the seventh when down to its final out. Ane Pahulu smacked a two-run homer and Sharia Cormier later scored Holly Brown -- who tripled prior – with a base hit. SUBR’s Tiara Scott was able to strike out Alexandra Dobbins to halt the comeback attempt and preserve the win.
Scott picked up her second win of the year, throwing 163 pitches and allowing 12 hits and fanning four.
On day two, Southern will clash with Alabama State at 2:30 p.m., while Mississippi Valley awaits Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 5 p.m.