THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University softball team split a doubleheader with Southwestern Athletic Conference in-state rival Alabama State in the three-game series, first falling 8-2 before rebounding in a 3-1 decision.

GAME ONE
Though the Bulldogs struck out the Hornets in three up, three down fashion at the top of the first, it was the second inning that gave the visiting team a lead the Bulldogs never recovered from. ASU loaded the bases before Ayana Frank reached on a fielders choice, allowing one Hornet to score. Brooke Ramsey was picked off at third but JaNiyah Boykin singled up the middle, putting an ASU runner back on all three bases. McKenzie Owens was hit by a pitch scoring another in the process. Mickey Cosler singled up the middle adding another run to the ASU tally. Alana Tally singled to left field and added two runs in the process. Leah Richardson reached first on a fielders error by the second baseman, scoring Cosler and rounding out the second inning.

It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that AAMU saw a tally in the run column. Dakota Dnaiel singled to the shortstop before advancing two bases at the following at-bats. Akyndra Montalvo singled to left center, allowing Daniel to score. Allyson Riches was hit by a pitch and Montalvo advanced to second before Ki Davis entered to pinch run for her. Katie Puckett singled through the left side, scoring Davis and earning the final run in favor of Alabama A&M.

ASU scored twice more at the top of the sixth after Brooke Ramsey singled through the right side, allowing two basemen to score unearned and solidify the Hornets' 8-2 victory.

GAME TWO
In the round-off session, AAMU got three consecutive outs to bring them to the plate at the bottom of the first inning. The Bulldogs opened scoring when Ariana Montiel reached first on an error and Daniel ran home. Montiel advanced to third and Riches flied out to the center fielder, but Montiel crossed home plate to add another unearned RBI. ASU saw no runs and no hits at the top of the second managing to get just one on base. Though AAMU tallied three hits at the bottom of the frame, it was not until the bottom of the third that AAMU scored again. With two consecutive outs threatening to end the frame, Riches sent a ball well beyond the wall, earning her second homerun of the season to take a 3-0 lead.

Both teams left three on base in their respective halves of the fourth inning, with ASU recording one hit and AAMU notching two. ASU added another three more hits, but the teams still entered the final frame with a 3-0 score in favor of the hosts. Senior Alyssa-Charter smith struck out the first two batters, but Jaibriel Terrell singled up the middle and reached home after Scott singled to right field. Though the Hornets prevented a shutout, Alabama A&M clinched the game to split the day.

UP NEXT  

The Bulldogs conclude the series tomorrow for the final home contest of the regular season. The game will also serve as Senior day, with a recognition ceremony to commence at 11:15 a.m. First pitch is scheduled for Noon and will be live streamed via Bulldogs All-Access.

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