ALBANY, Ga.- The Albany State women’s softball team got back to their high-scoring ways when its archrival rode into town. ASU assembled an array of long range hits and beat Fort Valley State by the scores of 16-0 and 22-1.
With the pair of wins, the Lady Rams improve to 21-17 overall and 16-2 in the SIAC. FVSU falls to 3-25, 3-15.
Albany State 16, Fort Valley State 0
After a scoreless first inning, Albany State started its scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Malea Maye took one pitch before belting a solo homerun. Lavette Tucker later followed with a two-run homer, and ASU led 3-0.
The Lady Rams extended their lead in the third inning. Led by Kayla Alexander’s opening homerun and Brianna Murillo’s grand slam, Albany State scored seven runs to take a 10-0 advantage.
In the fourth inning, ASU continued to be solid at the plate. Kyera Whitaker homered to right field, and Toni Coleman smashed a three-run homerun to ignite the team to a 16-0 edge.
Maye was 2-for-2 with three RBIs, and Coleman hit 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Murillo also had four RBIs. Whitaker was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Tiffany Massey (10-8) was the winning pitcher. She had eight strikeouts and only gave up two hits and a walk.
The Lady Rams collected 10 hits, two errors and five runners left on base.
Albany State 22, Fort Valley State 1
Albany State didn’t wait until after the first inning to seize control of the Lady Wildcats. After a couple of walks, Alexander hit a single to score Jade Williams. Maye then homered to right field to score three more runs, and the Lady Rams were on their way to a 17-run first inning.
In the second stanza, ASU scored a single run. That came courtesy of Coleman, who doubled to right field to score Alexander and give Albany State an 18-0 lead.
FVSU scored their only run in the top of the fourth inning, but the Lady Rams answered in the bottom. Alexander hit a homerun to start the inning, and Cristiana Houston hit a three-run shot to give ASU a 22-1 advantage.
Coleman and Tucker each finished 4-for-4 with two RBIs apiece. Maye was 2-for-3 with six RBIs, and Alexander with 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
Aryn McGowan (10-7) was the winning pitcher. She had eight strikeouts and only gave up one hit and three walks.
The Lady Rams recorded 16 hits, no errors and three LOBs.
The two teams will complete the series on Sunday, April 9. The program will also observe Senior Day before the contest. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.
