THE HILL | In the first two of five home games this weekend, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs split a pair of contests with the Titans of the University of Detroit Mercy.

In the opening contest, the Bulldogs scored four runs in the first inning to take a 4-0 lead. The Titans slowly climbed back, scoring 4 unanswered runs in the following three frames to level the contest. UDM scored six runs at the top of the fifth, including a three-run play from Leah Daniels. With the game slipping away, AAMU had no choice but to respond, At the bottom of the stanza, Tori Green scored on an error before Zahria Jones singled to left field, scoring Ki Davis and Ariana Montiel.

Detroit Mercy was held scoreless at the top of the sixth, which gave the Bulldogs the chance to lessen their advantage. The Maroon and White added two more runs after Akyndra Montalvo and Maria Paula Ocrospoma-Figueroa scored, and the teams were within one point of each other. Allison Fluker scored on an error and two more Titans ran past home plate to take the 13-9 victory. AAMU finished with nine runs on 14 hits with 12 errors while UDM claimed the first game with 13 runs on six hits and seven errors.

In the evening session, the Titans opened play with two batters striking out. At the bottom of the frame, Green singled to shortstop and stole second before advancing to third. Jalia Callaway doubled to right field, allowing Green to Score. At the next at bat, Alexis Gatlin doubled to the left center and Callaway scored to take the 2-0 lead.

Neither team scored until the bottom of the third, when Green scored on a passed ball. Ki Davis doubled to center field, allowing both Callaway and Montiel to soar across the home plate.

The Titans prevented a shutout in the next inning when Jada Davis scored. Ocrospoma responded in a huge way, sending a ball well beyond the wall for her first home run of the season. At the bottom of the sixth, Kaidence Swoopes doubled to left field and Davis advanced to third. Swoopes then stole third and Davis stole home to go up 7-1. Charity Bibbs came to the plate and walked to second before a thieving Swoopes stole home.

With runners on two bases, Claire Borg grounded out to the second baseman and J, Davis scored. At the bottom of the sixth inning, Swoopes doubled to right center and K. Davis and Allyson Riches ran homes to solidify the 10-2 victory over the Titans. Detroit Mercy finished the contest with two runs on seven hits and no errors while the Bulldogs finished with 10 runs, 10 hits and no errors.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs open Southwestern Athletic Conference with a three-game series against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devilettes. The teams meet on the mound at 1 p.m. on Friday before a doubleheader on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. All contests will be live streamed via Bulldogs All-Access.

For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).