MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University softball team (14-12, 5-1 SWAC) split a pair of contests with the Alabama State Hornets () after narrowly dropping Saturday's matinee game in a 7-6 decision but claiming the afternoon contest, 8-4.

The Bulldogs opened the morning by quickly loading the bases. Kaidence Sweeopes singled through the right side, allowing Dakota Daniel and Maria Paula Ocrospoma-Figueroa to score. Allyson Riches followed suit, bringing Ariana Montiel across home plate in the next at bat. Swoopes eventually scored on a throwing error by the pitcher to put the Bulldogs up four runs heading to the bottom of the first.

ASU struggled in the following innings, with batters being struck out in consecutive at bats at the bottom of the first and second, and only recording one hit in the third. AAMU added another run in the fourth frame when Daniel stole second, advanced to third on throwing error then scored from a fielding error. The hornets finally saw a tally in their column when Talee Sims added an unearned run from a fielding error.

The fifth inning proved to be the difference for the Hornets, where they added six runs, three of them from an Alana Scott homerun to left field. The Bulldogs added another run in the seventh from an Akyndra Montalvo double, but was not enough, as Alabama State took the 7-6 edge.

In the afternoon match up, the Maroon and White recorded two runs on one hit to take a two run advantage. The Hornets slimmed the contest to one after Sims doubled to left field, allowing Brooke Ramsey to score. The contest ran stagnant in the second and third inning, but a wild pitch and throwing error from ASU brought two Bulldogs across home, before Ariana Montiel singled to center field, allowing Daniel to score and taking a 5-1 lead.

At the top of the sixth, Daniel singled through the left side, which scored Ocrospoma and Heaven Bibbs. Daniel eventually earned the Bulldogs' final tally of the series after she scored when Riches reached on a fielding error by the second baseman. With the contest coming to a close, the Hornets trimmed away at the Maroon and White lead, scoring three runs at the bottom of the sixth. Ultimately, Alabama A&M claimed the 8-4 victory and the series by a 2-1 result.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return to the AAMU Softball Fields to host SWAC opponent Florida A&M in a three-game series on March 21st and 22nd. Friday's game is set for 2 p.m. while Saturday's doubleheader will commence at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

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