BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Lady Rams results were almost perfect on Wednesday. Albany State wasted no time and run-ruled LeMoyne-Owen College, 9-1, before it saw Kentucky State edge out a 10-9 comeback in the second game of the day of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Crossover Day 2.
After ending the top-of-the first inning on a double play, ASU exploded for seven scores in the bottom part of the frame. As part of the outburst, De'Laynie Hollis lined a RBI single and Brielle Thompson laced a run-scoring triple to highlight the attack. Morgan Brown added a RBI double in the second and Hollis drove in the final to ground out for the eventual 9-1 five-inning final.
Following run-scoring singles from Romona McLeod and Trista Murphy in the top of the sixth, the Lady Rams held a 9-6 lead. With the same score going to the home seventh, the Thorobreds received a lead-off single and two batters later pulled within a run on a 2-run home run. Kentucky State continued with a walk, before it connected on a second 2-run homer for the 10-9 final.
Of the 18-hit ASU offense, Murphy recorded a 3 for 4 day with a run and three RBI. Madison Hurt added two singles, four runs and six stolen bases, while Romona McLeod doubled and single with four runs and two RBI. Keyatta Ayers also went 2 for 5 with two runs and three stolen bases while Morgan Brown doubled in each game and drove in two. Other ASU offensive hitters included Arica Bellamy, Desari Brown and Jasmine Russell each singled.
McLeod and Kamari Morrow combined for only giving up two hits in five innings of the opener.
In Game 2, Kentucky State pushed home two in the first and another run in the second to open a 3-0 lead. In the top of the third, ASU saw Hurt, who reached on an error, swiped two bases and scored on McLeod liner, which was misplayed. Murphy singled home the second run for a 3-2 contest.
ASU went ahead in the fifth with five scores. As part of the five runs, Ayers and Murphy both singled home a run apiece. Russell ground out for the third run and Tiana McFarland singled home the fifth for a 7-3 advantage.
The Lady Rams wrap up their three-day SIAC Crossover on Thursday, March 14, with games against Miles College (3:30 p.m. EST) and Spring Hill College (5:45 p.m. EST).
