MONTGOMERY, Ala. ^__ Alabama A&M softball split a pair of games to start the HBCU Classic, falling to Florida A&M 4-3 in their first game, before defeating South Carolina State 6-1 to close the day at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
 
Florida A&M 4, Alabama A&M 3
Florida A&M got on the board first, opening the game with four runs and five hits in the first inning. After a walk to start the bottom of the frame, the Rattlers scored two batters later on an RBI double to right center. They followed that with three more runs off consecutive RBI doubles before the close of the inning.
 
Neither team could push a runner across the plate over the next three innings as Alabama A&M got on the board in the fifth when Taylor Woods (Decatur, Ga.) scored after Allyson Riches (San Diego, Calif.) drew a walk with the bases loaded.
 
The Bulldogs added to their run totals in the sixth, as Faith Cross (Pulaski, Tenn.) singled to open the inning and later scored on a wild pitch. Serena Hebranson (Hermet, Calif.) crossed the plate next on a groundout from Natalie Picado (Hesperia, Calif.) to make the score 4-3 heading into the seventh.
 
Alabama A&M earned just four hits in the game, led by two singles from Cross, along with hits from Abigail Barnes (Huntsville, Ala.) and Picado. Paige Scott (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada) threw for all six innings on Saturday, facing 26 batters and allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out five.
 
Cris'Deona Beasley earned the win for the Rattlers, working 4.2 innings and not allowing a run, while Nadia Zenteno pitched in relief, working 2.1 innings of play, surrendering three runs.
 
Alabama A&M 6, South Carolina State 1
Alabama A&M opened game two with three runs in the first inning, with Brooklyn Wallace (Hartselle, Ala.) landing on base with a single and later scored on an RBI single from Venice Sanders (Birmingham, Ala.) to continue her hot play at the plate.
 
Zahria Jones (Huntsville, Ala.) scored on the next at-bat on a passed ball, followed by Sanders crossing the plate on an RBI single from Herbranson.
 
South Carolina State scored their first run in the bottom of the second following three straight singles, with the last being a hit down the left field line to drive in Aaliyah Felder.
 
A&M extended their lead to 6-1 in the fourth and fifth frames, as Cross scored on a bunt from Picado, followed by another RBI single from Sanders and a sacrifice fly from Barnes to bring home Calia Rooks (Santee, Calif.).
 
South Carolina State scored another run in the sixth with a based loaded walk but could not add any in the final inning, giving A&M the 6-2 win.
 
Both Sanders and Wallace earned a pair of hits in the contest, with Sanders also driving in a pair of runs, while Wallace scored twice.
 
Sydney Hall (Ardmore, Ala.) started and earned the decision on the mound, working five innings. Hall allowed six hits and two runs, while striking out six. Scott came in for two innings in relief.
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs will remain in Montgomery for the final day of the HBCU Heritage Classic on Sunday as they take on Southern at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex, starting at 9 a.m.
 
Follow the Bulldogs
Stay connected with Alabama A&M Softball on Instagram and Twitter (@aamusoftball). For complete coverage of Alabama A&M athletics, follow on social media at @aamuathletics (Instagram) and @AAMUBulldogs on Twitter, and visit the official home of Alabama A&M University athletics at www.aamusports.com.