2016 SWAC Softball Tournament: Day Two Recaps
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Texas Southern 9, Alcorn State 1 (F/5)
Box Score
IRONDALE, Ala. – Texas Southern downed Alcorn State 9-1 to advance in the winner’s bracket during day two of the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament.
The Lady Tigers (27-16) built an early 3-0 lead, as Haley Smith (3-for-3, 2 R) was able to score on a wild pitch, and Amber Garza delivered a RBI triple in the first inning. Garza (2-for-3, 4 RBI) later hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third to push the game to 6-0. Alcorn State (16-27) picked up a run in the fifth to make it 7-1, but a Dominique Tello two-run single forced the run-rule win.
Lauren Rodriguez picked up the win, improving to 10-8. She allowed only four hits and struck out three. Jazmin Castillo surrendered 12 hits in the loss. TXSO will play Alabama State for a spot in the SWAC Softball Tournament final on Friday at 2:30 p.m., while Alcorn State will face Alabama A&M, who defeated Prairie View 4-2 Thursday evening.
Due to weather, Alcorn State and Alabama A&M's contest -- originally set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday -- was halted and will resume Friday at 11 a.m.
Alabama State 7, Southern 6 (F/9)
Box Score
IRONDALE, Ala. – Jenna Mae Thorne hit a walk-off home run to send Alabama State to a 7-6, nine-inning win over Southern during day two of the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament.
It was Thorne’s (3-for-3, 4 RBI, 4 R) second home run of the contest, as her first one – a solo shot -- put the Hornets (26-25) on the board in the fourth. Southern’s Jamani Greer hit a three-run shot to give the Jaguars a 3-1 lead. Southern (13-19) eventually pushed its advantage to 6-2, before a four-run seventh inning – highlighted by a two-run base hit from Thorne tied the game for Alabama State.
Melissa Christmann (7-10) threw 4.0 innings of relief to earn the win. Delphia Holmes received the loss, surrendering 12 hits in 8.2 innings pitched.
Alabama State will face Texas Southern, where the winner will advance to the SWAC Softball Tournament final. Due to weather, Southern and Mississippi Valley's contest originally scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. will be played Friday at 11 a.m.
Alabama A&M 4, Prairie View A&M 2
Box Score
IRONDALE, Ala. – Tiana Sanders, Brandi Foreman and Sierra Smith each left the yard as Alabama A&M eliminated Prairie View A&M from the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament by a score of 4-2.
Sanders and Foreman went back-to-back in the fourth inning to break open a scoreless contest. Sierra Smith led off the next inning with a solo shot for the Bulldogs (12-34), and Imani Largin added a RBI single.
In the seventh, Kylar Ward-Flowers delivered a home run for Prairie View (10-28), and the Panthers added another run before AAMU was able to wrap up the contest. Shelby Williams was 4-for-4 for PVAM, and Briana Knowles was 3-for-3, but the Lady Panthers stranded nine runners in the game.
Rachel Sanders got the win for AAMU, allowing nine hits and two runs in 6.0 innings.
AAMU advanced to play Alcorn State but due to weather, Alcorn State and Alabama A&M's contest -- originally set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday -- was halted and will resume Friday at 11 a.m.
Mississippi Valley State 8, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3
Box Score
IRONDALE, Ala. – A five-run second inning pushed Mississippi Valley State past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 8-3 during the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament, ending the Lady Lions’ series.
The Devilettes tied the contest 1-1 when Sharia Cormier drew a bases-loaded walk, starting the scoring for MVSU (14-28). Kaylin Dunn (4-for-4) capped the burst with a two-run double. The Devilettes added two more runs in the fourth, and capped their scoring late with a Cormier home run.
UAPB (15-36) put some offense together as Makalya Hunter smacked a RBI single and Maria Aguilar added a RBI sac fly, but it was not enough to make up ground on Mississippi Valley.
Rebekah Clinton scattered seven hits in a complete game win to improve to 10-16 for MVSU. Hailey Forbes received the loss, allowing four runs on two hits in 1.0 innings.