SWAC Softball Tournament Recaps: Day Three
SWAC.org
Alabama State 10, Prairie View A&M 6
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State eliminated Prairie View A&M in a wild 10-6 contest during day three of the 2017 SWAC Softball Tournament
Alabama State (18-32) wasted no time getting going, as a Valerie Centeno triple was followed by a Kendall Core RBI double.
After squandering a bases-loaded chance in the second, the Lady Hornets added to their lead as Centeno sent a Higgins offering over the centerfield wall for a 2-0 advantage. Alabama State continued to use the long ball to its advantage, as Perry Hindi blasted a two-run shot out of the park, and Amira James followed with a solo homer to make it 5-0.
Prairie View returned fire as Briana Knowles broke up Justine Jean's no-hitter bid in the top of the fourth with a single, and Destinee Williams reach on an error that moved both into scoring position. After Laurisa Hernandez reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases, Alyssa Garcia got the Lady Panthers (20-28) on the board with a RBI sac fly. Pinch-runner Brooke Dibler scored on a Jean wild pitch to inch the Lady Panthers closer.
Alabama State responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame, as Core delivered a RBI sac fly and Hindi scored on a Boggess RBI single.
However, the Lady Hornets' defense faltered during the fifth, allowing PVAMU to load the bags in the top of the fifth. D. Williams delivered a RBI single to score Kiara Ross, and Kylar Ward-Flowers scored Shelby Williams on a sac fly, ultimately kicking off a four-run frame as Garcia and Hernandez also picked up RBI base hits.
In the bottom of the sixth, the tandem of Core and Centeno sparked the Lady Hornets again, as Centeno led off with a single and Core followed with a single during which Centeno scored thanks to a Ward-Flowers gaffe. Hindi followed with a RBI double and later scored on a sac fly. From there, Vanessa Bradford did the rest, earning her first career save.
Hindi was 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI. Centeno was a double shy of the cycle, scoring three runs.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6, Alabama A&M 1
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A fast start propelled Arkansas-Pine Bluff past Alabama A&M to the tune of a 6-1 victory, ending the Lady Bulldogs' 2017 campaign.
After Alabama A&M (17-30) tacked one on to start the game, UAPB tied it when a Ta'Lyn Moody hit was misplayed by AAMU's Tiana Sanders and ended up in the outfield, allowing Tonnay Hawkins to score from first. Paige Garcia pushed the Lady Lions ahead with a two-run blast over the left field wall, chasing AAMU starter Rachel Sanders.
The Lady Lions threatened again in the second, as Shanice Akins and Hawkins reached on base hits, but Garcia (2-for-3, 4 RBI, R) lined into a double play.
After both sides traded scoreless innings, Alabama A&M put a threat together in the top of the fifth, loading the bases thanks to an error and consecutive base hits. However, Lady Lions starter Angelique Ramos managed to get out of the jam unscathed, inducing back-to-back pop-outs and a line out. From there, UAPB (20-23) pressed the advantage as Hawkins reached on an error and Moody singled before the Lady Lions cashed in on a two-run double to the warning track by Garcia.
Angelique Ramos surrendered five hits, striking out two in the workman-like effort to earn the win. With it, UAPB advanced to the 4:30 contest with Alabama State.
Texas Southern 12, Southern 1 (F/5)
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Jocilynn Ellis accounted for five RBI, and Jasmin Fulmore held Southern (17-21) to three hits as Texas Southern advanced to the 2017 SWAC Softball Tournament final with a 12-1 victory
After a scoreless first, Texas Southern's Sierra Valdez led off the second inning with a single. After Dominique Tello advanced her with a double, Krystalani Yockman beat out a throw to first to load the bags. Jocilynn Ellis slapped a two-run double to left center. The Lady Tigers ultimately chased Southern starter Aubrion James, but Heaven Benavidez drew a bases-loaded walk off of Jaguars reliever Tiara Scott before the inning ended.
The Lady Tigers (24-18) carried their momentum to the third as Yockman hit a RBI single to build on TSU's lead. Ellis, who went 3-for-3 with 5 RBI and scored two runs, followed with a RBI single as well, advancing to second on the throw. After Kelsey Riley reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases, Benavidez delivered a two-run single to left, giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
A Sydney Andrews single broke up the no-hit bid for Texas Southern's Jasmin Fulmore in the fourth, and Andrews later scored on a Scott single that put two on, but Scott was picked off by Marissa Padron, and Fulmore fanned Jazmine Dukes to end the Jaguars' scoring chance.
Texas Southern responded in the fourth as Ellis delivered a two-run single – after the Lady Tigers scratched a run across thanks to a miscue by Dukes – as part of a five-run frame where Texas Southern sealed its spot in the tournament final.
Dominique Tello was 3-for-3 with three runs. Fulmore got the win, striking out six and allowing one run. Southern will take on TBA tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the second slot in the tournament championship.
Southern will take on Alabama State tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the second slot in the tournament championship.
Alabama State 10, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1 (F/6)
Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State advanced to the semifinals of the 2017 SWAC Softball Tournament with a 10-1, six-inning victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, ending the season of the Lady Lions.
After a scoreless first, Perry Hindi got the Lady Hornet offense started with a double down the right field line, later scoring on a Diauna Nelson single. Alexia Boggess followed with a two-run shot to center, putting Alabama State up 3-0. After Brittney Wilson singled and stole second, Laura Aguilar belted a RBI double just out of reach of centerfielder Ta'Lyn Moody.
UAPB mounted a threat in the bottom of the second, getting runners at the corners, but ASU starter Justine Jean induced a grounder to wipe away the Lady Lions' chance.
Karia Beth Hall came on in relief of Arkansas-Pine Bluff starter Angelique Ramos in the third, forcing the Lady Hornets to strand two runners. However, Alabama State would add another run as Wilson beat out a throw to home during a L. Aguilar fielder's choice. Aguilar later scored on a sac bunt by Kaylee Davis, as a throw out attempt ended up in left field.
The Lady Lions got on the board in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a RBI groundout by Maria Aguilar, but were clamped down from there. Alabama State threatened in the sixth, loading the bases before Valerie Centeno blasted a Hall pitch out of the park for a grand slam.
From there, Jean – who pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and one run while fanning three – retired the side, sealing the run-rule win.
Centeno was 2-for-4, and Aguilar was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Boggess was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Alabama State faces Southern tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the final slot in the tournament championship.