OXFORD, Ala. – The Lady Rams had their bats swinging late in both games on Monday. Albany State put eight runs in the final three innings for the opening win, 11-2, but Talladega edged out an eighth-inning score to escape for a 10-9 second game softball decision.

Leading 3-2 heading into the opener's top of the fifth, ASU put the game away with multiple runs in each of its final three at bats. Romona McLeod and Trista Murphy laced a triple and double to score one apiece for the fourth-frame runs and the two teamed up for another pair of RBI hits in the sixth for a 7-2 score. McLeod finished her big offensive game with a 3-run double in the seventh before a run-scoring single by Murphy followed for the third time.

Trailing 9-6 after six frames of Game 2, Olivia Mason singled home Emaria Banks, who singled, before Murphy tied the game with a 2-run liner for a 9-9 tally. After McLeod was stranded on second in the visiting part of the eighth, the Tornadoes put runners on first and second with one out when it sliced a hard grounder up the middle to plate the game-winning run, 10-9.

Over 15 innings of hitting, the Lady Rams bats were working overtime with 35 hits. McLeod powered the effort with a 6 for 10 afternoon with five runs, three doubles, a triple, seven RBI and a stolen base. Madison Hurt registered a 7 for 9 two games from her lead-off spot with four runs, a double and five stolen bases. Murphy finished 4 for 6 with a double and five RBI. Morgan Baker added 4 hits in eight at bats with three doubles, a run and three RBI.

Banks chipped in a 3 for 5 late contest with two runs and three RBI, while Mason tripled and singled two times with two RBI. Keyatta Ayers belted a two-run homer in the third frame of Game 1 and De'Laynie Hollis doubled and singled. Thompson singled two times with one hit from each of Jasmine Russell, Raven Dunham and Aniyah Dixon.

Murphy went the distance of the opener in the circle. She allowed only three hits and two earned run and fanned seven.

Game 1

Down 1-0 in the top of the third, Hurt sliced a double down the left-field line before she trotted around the rest of the bases when Ayers belted her 2-run homer. Baker added a run-scoring double two hitters later for a 3-1 lead.

Game 2

Tied at 1-1 after two innings, Hurt singled and then swiped two bases with one out. Ayers drew a walk to join Hurt before McLeod doubled down the left field line to plate both runners. Baker followed with a two-run single to go on top 5-1.

Following one Lady Ram unearned run in the top of the fourth, the Tornadoes put two in the fourth and then three scores in each of the fifth and sixth frames for a 9-6 advantage.

ASU has Tuesday off before it hosts Georgia College for a twinbill on Wednesday evening (March 27) in a 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. start times