MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Offense came to play on a rare conference midweek doubleheader as Alabama A&M softball (20-14, 11-6 SWAC) knocked off Florida A&M 8-1 and 5-4 to gain a pair of crucial SWAC victories on Wednesday.

Zahria Jones put an end to the day for the two teams with a homer to left field in the bottom of the eighth for the walk off score.

After both sides crossed the plate in the opening inning, the Bulldogs took a lead in the bottom of the third as Venice Sanders singled to right field for her second RBI of the contest, followed by an RBI single from Zahria Jones to score Serena Herbranson. They later extended their lead with a fourth run as Brooklyn Wallace scored.

The Rattlers found their bats in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs to tie the game at 4-4 and eventually force extra innings, where Jones would give the Bulldogs the win with the homer.

Sydney Hall (6-5) led Alabama A&M to victory in the circle, pitching for seven innings and allowing six hits and three runs while striking out three. Paige Scott threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.

The Bulldogs had seven hits in the game, led by Jones going 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. Sanders added two hits of her own along with a pair of runs batted in.

After a scoreless first in the first game, Alabama A&M plated three runs on two hits in the second inning. Following a double from junior Faith Cross and Brooklyn Wallace getting hit by a pitch, senior Taylor Woods drove both runners home on a single. Natalie Picado brought in the last run of the frame, with a sacrifice bunt to score Woods.

The Bulldogs five more runs across in the fifth after two more scoreless innings. Dakota Daniels started the frame with a walk, followed by a single from Herbranson and Sanders reaching on an error to load the bases with no outs.

Jones drove in the first run with a single, while Faith Cross followed with one of her own to give the Bulldogs a 5-0 lead. Later in the inning, Taylor Woods drew a bases loaded walk before Natalie Picado drove in the final two scores after reaching on an error.

Florida A&M managed their only run of the contest on an RBI single in the seventh courtesy of Natasha Fox.

Cross led the Bulldogs at the plate with two hits and two runs, while three other batters combined for the other three hits by the program. Scott (7-3) picked up the win, pitching a complete game and surrendering just three hits and one run while striking out seven.

Alabama A&M returns to the diamond on Friday to start a conference series against rival Alabama State. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex.

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