JACKSON, Miss. | The Alabama A&M University softball program opened its 2024 season on Saturday, splitting a pair of games at the River City Classic at the JSU Softball Field.
 
The Bulldogs (1-1) blanked Arlington Baptist in the opener, 8-0, in six innings, but fell in the nightcap to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 8-2.
 
Game 1
Alabama A&M 8, Arlington Baptist 0 (6)
 
Alabama A&M scored two runs in the first inning and used a five-run sixth inning to seal the season-opening victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the first inning, Serena Herbanson and Katie Puckett came across to score on a Zahria Jones sacrifice fly to right
• The Bulldogs added a run in the fourth when Iyanna Canada doubled to left center, scoring Tori Green
• With one down in the sixth, Susanna Cruit reached on an infield hit and moved to second on a wild pitch
• After a Callia Rooks walk, Green singled to right, loading the bases
• Canada followed and reached on an error as Cruit scored
• Herbranson singled to center as Rooks scored
• Puckett sealed the game with a bases-clear single as Green, Canada and Herbranson scored, giving AAMU the 8-0 victory

GAME NOTES

• Alabama A&M finished with eight runs on nine hits and committed one error
• Katie Puckett led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 3-for-4, with three RBI and one run scored
• Tori Green also collected three hits and scored twice
• Cris'Deona Bealsey (1-0) picked up the win, pitching six innings and scattered four hits, with four strikeouts
• Arlington Baptist finished with four hits and a pair of errors 

Game 2
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 8, Alabama A&M 2
 
Alabama A&M scored two runs in the first inning and used a five-run sixth inning to seal the season-opening victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Texas A&M-Corpus Christi struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the opening inning to grab a 2-0 lead
• Alabama A&M got a run back in the bottom of the frame
• In the first, Jones singled to right as Herbranson scored, closing the gap to 2-1
• AAMU tied the game at 2 with a run in the third inning
• A ground out by Herbranson in the third allowed Green to score, tying the game at 2
• However, the Islanders broke the tie with a run in the fourth, three more in the fifth, one in the sixth and seventh to take an 8-2 lead 

GAME NOTES

• Alabama A&M finished with two runs on three hits and had one error
• Paige Scott (0-1) took the loss as she surrendered six runs (four earned) on 10 hits, with three strikeouts
• Sydney Hall worked 2.1 innings in relief
• Texas A&M-Corpus Christi finished with eight runs on 14 hits and committed a pair of errors

UP NEXT 
Alabama A&M concludes play on Sunday with a pair of games at the River City Classic. The Bulldogs will meet Alcorn State at 9 a.m. and conclude play at 11 a.m. against Grambling State at the JSU Softball Field.
 
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