Lady Hornets sting UAPB 9-0 in SWAC softball tourney opener
IRONDALE, Ala. (bamastatesports.com) – Kendall Core had herself a day to remember, Maddie Phelps mowed down Arkansas Pine Bluff hitters almost to perfection and the Alabama State softball team made quick work of the Golden Lions with a 9-0 run-ruled shortened victory in five innings to open the SWAC Tournament on day one Wednesday.
Core unleashed her bat to the tune of a 3-for-3 performance with a two-run home run to center field to go along with a pair of RBI singles as she helped the Lady Hornets get out to an early lead and was a major part of an eight-run fourth inning that broke it open.
Alabama State’s two through five hitters batted a whopping 9-for-11 with seven RBIs with two home runs, and a triple.
Charlene Castro also homered for ASU as the freshman followed Core’s blast with a booming shot to deep center field to put ASU on top 4-0.
Valerie Centeno, Jenna Mae Thorne and Castro all had two hits to power the ASU offense.
In the circle, it was Phelps who worked quickly on just 77 pitches and allowed a mere hit and hit one batter.
Phelps (17-11) allowed no runs and struck out three to lower her seasonal ERA to 2.90 on the season.
Up next
Alabama State will play Southern (12-17) on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. on field one at the Shea Brothers Softball Complex in day two action of the SWAC Tournament.
The teams did not meet during the 2016 season.
