MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Junior transfer Akyndra Montalvo sent a ball flying over the wall and recorded three RBI's in the process to push Alabama A&M University over the Alabama State Hornets, 5-2, on Friday evening.

The Hornets were first to get on the board when Brooke Ramsey walked, stole second, and scored on a throwing error by the catcher. The contest ran stagnant for the next three innings, with neither team recording more than one hit in a single inning.

The home team increased their lead at the bottom of the fifth after Talee Sims reached on a fielder's choice then advanced to second on a wild pitch before scoring after Alana Scott singled down the right field line.

A shift in intensity flew through the sixth inning as the Bulldogs recorded five runs on six hits, which later proved to be the difference in the contest. Tori Green singled up the middle before advancing to second then scoring from an Allyson Riches double to the left center of the field. With a runner on second and third, Montalvo homered, scoring Riches and Katie Puckett in the process and making the score 4-1, in favor of the visitors.

After a pitching change for the Hornets, both Charity Bibbs and Dakota Daniel singled to get on base. At the next at bat, Maria Paula Ocrospoma-Figueroa followed suit, allowing Bibbs to cross home plate and score what would become the final run for the Bulldogs. The Maroon and White struck out all three ASU batters in consecutive at bats at the bottom of the sixth to propel the teams to the final inning. Neither team could get anything going in the final stanza, each leaving two on base at the conclusion. With AAMU in front by three, they claimed the first contest of the series in a 5-2 decision.

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The Bulldogs and Hornets compete the three-game series in a Saturday doubleheader scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Barbara Williams Soccer Complex in Montgomery. Fans wishing to live stream can do so via the Hornets Sports Network.

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