JACKSON, Miss. | The Alabama A&M University softball team opened the 2026 season on Saturday as the Bulldogs defeated Arlington Baptist, 14-3 in five innings, and Alcorn State, 7-6, during the second day of the River City Classic at the Jackson State Softball Complex.
Game 1 – Alabama A&M 14, Arlington Baptist 3
The Bulldogs struck early, scoring two runs in the first inning on a sacrifice fly, before adding another in the second to take a 3–0 lead. Arlington Baptist answered in the third inning, using a two-run triple and a groundout to tie the game at 3–3.
Alabama A&M (2-0) responded immediately with its decisive fourth inning. After opening the frame with back-to-back hits, the Bulldogs scored nine runs on eight hits, highlighted by RBI singles, doubles, and a bases-clearing triple to pull away for a commanding 12–3 advantage.
The Bulldogs continued to add on in the fifth inning with two more runs to close out the scoring.
Alabama A&M finished with 12 hits as
Akyndra Montalvo went 3-for-4, with three runs scored and a pair of RBIs.
Josefina Lacalle,
Jaliyah Grigsby and
Lily Calderon each had two hits.
Kaylee Tatum (1-0) earned the victory, going three innings and surrendering three runs on three hits, with three walks and one strikeout.
McKenna Furnari pitched the final two innings, scattering three hits and fanning two.
Game 2 – Alabama A&M 7, Alcorn State 6
With the score tied at 6–6, the Bulldogs opened the frame with a leadoff double before a single put runners at the corners. A sacrifice fly to left field brought home the winning run to cap the comeback.
Alcorn State struck first with runs in each of the first four innings, building a 4–1 lead. Alabama A&M answered in the bottom of the fourth, scoring four runs to take its first lead of the game. The Bulldogs capitalized on passed balls before tying the game on a sacrifice fly, then moved in front with another sac fly to center field.
The Braves evened the score in the sixth inning following an Alabama A&M error, but the Bulldogs responded in the bottom half as a sacrifice groundout restored the lead at 6–5.
Alcorn State forced a tie again in the seventh with an RBI double, setting up Alabama A&M's walk-off finish in the home half of the inning.
Alabama A&M finished with 10 hits and four RBIs produced via sacrifice plays. Grigsby, Lacalle and
Bailey Webb each recorded two hits.
Dylann Rambally (1-0) went the distance, giving up six runs (five earned) on eight hits, with three walks and a pair of strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M concludes play at the River City Classic on Sunday with a pair of games, starting at 12 p.m. against Dallas Christian, followed by a 2 p.m. contest against Grambling State at the JSU Softball Complex.
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - 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).
