TUSKEGEE, Ala. | The Alabama A&M softball team split its midweek doubleheader against Tuskegee on Wednesday afternoon, dropping the opener 6-0 before battling to an 8-7 victory in game two.

In the opening game of the day, Alabama A&M was limited offensively, recording just one hit in the contest as Paula Ocrospoma-Figueroa delivered the Bulldogs' lone base knock. Kaylee Tatum went the distance on the mound, tossing six innings with two strikeouts despite the loss. 

In game two, the Bulldogs responded with an offensive surge, plating three runs in the second inning. Grace Cruthis drove in the opening run, Ariana Montiel followed with a sacrifice fly, and McKenna Furnari added an RBI single to give Alabama A&M an early 3-0 advantage. 

Alabama A&M continued to build its lead in the third when Ocrospoma-Figueroa delivered an RBI double to extend the margin to 4-0, and Jaliyah Grigsby later added an RBI single in the fifth to make it 5-3 after Tuskegee chipped away at the lead. 

The Bulldogs took firm control in the sixth inning when Furnari reached on an error that allowed Montiel to score before Kali Austerman launched a two-run home run to center field, pushing the advantage to 8-4. 

Tuskegee rallied late, scoring twice in the sixth and adding two more runs in the seventh.

Austerman led Alabama A&M offensively in game two, finishing 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI, while Grigsby recorded two hits and an RBI. Ocrospoma-Figueroa also collected two hits and an RBI as the Bulldogs tallied 11 hits in the nightcap. 

Furnari started in the circle for Alabama A&M in game two, pitching five innings before Josefina Lacalle entered in relief.

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The Bulldogs will host Bethune-Cookman at the Bulldog Softball Field for a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

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