MONTGOMERY, Ala. ^__ Venice Sanders (Birmingham, Ala.) gave the Bulldogs their second win of the weekend with a walk off two-run homer in the ninth against Southern for a 10-8 final at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.
 
Alabama A&M (4-6) got on the board first in the second inning, as Serena Herbranson (Hermet, Calif.) singled up the middle to drive in Sanders who had singled to open the frame. On the next at-bat, Faith Cross (Pulaski, Tenn.) stole home to gain a 2-0 lead.
 
Southern responded in the third, scoring their first on a sacrifice fly, before a pair of RBI singles over the next three batters combined for the final three runs in the frame. The Jaguars also added another two runs in the fifth after loading the bases with one out and pounding out consecutive hits.
 
The Bulldogs got within a run after Allyson Riches (San Diego, Calif.) crossed the plate in the third for A&M on a groundout, and later regained the lead with four runs in the bottom half of the fifth. Riches scored the first run of the frame, this time on an RBI single from Zahria Jones (Huntsville, Ala.), followed by Calia Rooks (Santee, Calif.) and Brooklyn Wallace (Hartselle, Ala.) crossing the plate on an error to take a 7-6 lead after five.
 
After another Southern score in the sixth, the game was forced into extras, where the Jaguars took a 8-7 lead heading into the eighth. Abigail Barnes (Huntsville, Ala.)  singled to down the left field line to advance Cross to third, who later tied the game to force another inning on a throwing error.
 
A&M secured the win in the bottom of the ninth, with the two-out homer by Sanders to finish the game. Four Bulldogs earned multiple hits on the day, led by Riches at 2-for-5 and three scores along with Sanders at 2-for-5, also scoring three runs including her home run.
 
Paige Scott (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada) earned the win over the Jaguars, working 6.1 innings and allowing four runs on 10 hits and striking out five. Sanders pitched 2.2 innings in relief, giving up four runs off five hits.
 
Up Next
Alabama A&M will return to action for a midweek matchup against Oakwood on Wednesday, March 1, serving as the home opener for the 2023 season. First pitch at Bulldog Field is scheduled for 12 noon.
 
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.