LORMAN, Miss. | Grambling State picked up a key conference win to open Saturday's doubleheader at the Alcorn Softball Complex, defeating Alcorn State 6-2 in game one before falling 6-3 in the finale.
The split closed out a three-game SWAC road series, with Grambling taking two of three on the weekend.
The Lady Tigers (14-18, 7-6 SWAC) overcame an early 1-1 tie, exploding for five runs in the fifth, fueled by Alcorn errors and timely hitting.
Z'Natria Evans delivered an RBI single, while
Ahsunte' Specks and
Christalyn Higgins drew key walks with the bases loaded to extend the lead.
Alcorn State (9-22, 4-13 SWAC) struck first on Mariah Morgan's solo homer in the second, but Grambling answered with small ball,
Aniyah Lee's RBI single tied it in the second.
The Braves four errors proved costly, as only one of Grambling's six runs was earned.
Audrey Richardson (5-4) earned the win with a complete game, scattering nine hits and allowing just one earned run. Alainah Felton (0-5) took the loss for Alcorn despite only one earned run allowed.
Alcorn State bounced back in the nightcap, riding early offense and strong pitching to a 6-3 win over Grambling State, splitting Friday's doubleheader.
The Braves (10-22, 5-13 SWAC) jumped ahead 2-0 in the first on back-to-back RBI doubles from Mariah Morgan and Alonah Felton, then added two more in the third.
Morgan finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Ta'Niyah Fletcher (9-12) held Grambling to three runs (two earned) over 4.2 innings.
Grambling (14-19, 7-7 SWAC) cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fourth on
Tavia Leadon's solo homer and an unearned run, but
Kamryn Broussard's fifth-inning blast wasn't enough.
Chloe Wilson pitched four innings for Grambling State, allowing seven hits and five earned runs with one strikeout and one walk, taking the loss to drop to 3-2.
Erin Gibbs threw two innings in relief, giving up three hits and one run.
Alainah Felton earned a save with 2.1 scoreless relief innings.
UP NEXT
The Grambling State Lady Tigers will travel to Arkansas for a non-conference midweek doubleheader against Henderson State on Tuesday, April 15, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. at Dee White Softball Field.
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