MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Grambling State softball opened Friday at the HBCU Softball Classic with two strong wins.
They defeated South Carolina State 6–3 before holding off Mississippi Valley State in a close 5–4 victory
The Tigers struck first against South Carolina State, with
Kamryn Broussard reaching on a fielder's choice to drive in
Katelynn Walls.
Tavia Leadon followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 2–0.
South Carolina State rallied for three runs in the second, but Grambling State responded with RBI singles from
Christalyn Higgins and
Cadashia Collins to reclaim the lead.
Ziya Donaldson later scored on a throwing error, and Broussard added a sacrifice fly in the fifth to secure the 6–3 victory.
Hailei Harrell earned the win in relief tossing five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits.
Collins went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Higgins added two hits with a run scored.
In the nightcap,
Tavia Leadon's RBI triple in the first gave Grambling State an early advantage.
Mississippi Valley answered with two runs in the third.
The Tigers regained control in the fifth as
Jada Carhee reached on an error, scoring Leadon.
Malaysia Ponder added an RBI single to extend the lead 4-2.
Logan-Ray Gaspar's RBI single in the sixth provided key insurance.
Zoe Roland closed out the 5–4 win with a complete-game effort, allowing four runs (two earned) while striking out four.
Leadon finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a triple, and Ponder added two hits with an RBI.
UP NEXT
Grambling State returns to action Saturday at the HBCU Softball Classic against Lincoln University (Pa.) at 2:30 p.m., followed by Alabama State at 7:30 p.m.
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