The Alabama A&M softball team started its season 3-2 when the Bulldogs traveled to Conyers, Ga. for the Tiny Laster HBCU Classic this past weekend. A&M dropped its first two games against Morgan State and Florida A&M, but then won three straight when it defeated Howard, Winston-Salem State, and South Carolina State. The Bulldogs will open up home play on Feb. 14 when they host Tennessee State for a double header beginning at noon.
Morgan State 3, Alabama A&M 2
A&M took a 1-0 advantage after the top of the second, but the Bears responded in the bottom with two runs to take a one point edge. Bulldog freshman Corissa Deadwyler rounded the bases to to even the score. Morgan State scored another run in the bottom of the sixth for the 3-2 final. SWAC Preseason Player of the Year Re'Quincia Mack went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Bulldog offense. Pitcher Halie Buie fanned four batters in six innings pitched.
Florida A&M 8, Alabama A&M 3
The Bulldogs got off to a great start with two runs in the top of the first. Two runs for FAMU knotted the score heading into the top of the third. Highlighted by a homer, the Rattlers pushed the spread to 4-2 after the fourth inning. Florida A&M scored four more runs in the fifth. Mack's double in the sixth led to a Bulldog run, but A&M could not fully recover from the deficit.
For the Bulldogs, Deadwyler was a perfect 2-for-2 at bat. Mack went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Buie went 1-for-3 with an RBI and had five strikeouts.
Alabama A&M 4, Howard 1
Howard struck first in the top of the third with a run - which proved to be its only for the game. A&M responded in the bottom half with three runs to take a 3-1 advantage. The Bulldogs scored again in the fourth to take the 4-1 win. For A&M, freshman Sabrina Hurns went 1-for-2 with two runs. Chantelle Statham had a productive game with two hits an RBI and a run scored. Mack also scored a run for the Bulldogs.
Alabama A&M 3, Winston-Salem State 2
The Rams scored a run to take an early one point advantage heading into the second. A&M had two runs in the top of the second for a 2-1 lead. The Bulldogs scored another run in the fourth to put themselves up by one. WSSU tied it at two with a Kayla Woodbury run. Buie rounded a bases for an A&M one to give the Bulldogs an advantage that they would hold on to.
Hurs led A&M on the offensive side with two hits, an RBI and a run. Buie recorded two runs and a hit.
Alabama A&M 3, South Carolina State 1
South Carolina State scored its only run of the game in the top of the second. A&M had two runs in the third to put take a slim 2-1 edge. Mack's home run bomb in the sixth was the highlight of the inning as she brought Adrienne Jackson home for two RBI. Jackson finished the game with two hits and two runs. Mack went 3-for-4 with two runs.
The Bulldogs will host Tennessee State for a double header beginning at noon on Sat. Feb. 14.
