COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Lady Rams couldn't get their high-powered offense up to usual efficiency on Monday. After a tough early loss against Tuskegee, Albany State could not hold onto the lead and saw Fort Valley State outlast it, 10-6, in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament Loser's Bracket.
Following a pair of FVSU runs in the top of the second for the game's first scores, ASU (29-19) edged ahead in the home second. Morgan Brown belted a lead-off solo homer, before the Lady Rams took advantage of two Wildcat errors to a 3-2 lead. FVSU answered back right away with four scores in the top of the third and retook the lead 6-3. ASU plated single runs in the third, fifth and sixth, but it was sent down in order in the seventh to end the 2024 season.
In the Opening Round, Tuskegee took the early advantage with two runs in the home first. Morgan Hurt singled home Brielle Thompson in the top of the second and cut the ASU deficit to 2-1. It turned out to be the closest the Lady Rams would get to the lead as the Lady Tigers plated three in the second and four more scores in each of the third and fourth for the 13-2 final in five frames.
Hurt accounted for a third of the ASU offense by going 5 for 7 with a run, one RBI and four stolen bases. Ty'Janae Brown added a 3 for 6 day with a run and two stolen bases. Trista Murphy went 3 for 4 with a double and two singles with two RBI in the second game, while De'Laynie Hollis singled in each game. Morgan Brown had the solo home run against FVSU and Romona McLeod chipped in a single.
vs. Tuskegee
After Tuskegee made it 5-1 with two innings played, ASU was retired in order in both the third and fourth at bats.
In the top of the fifth, Ty'Janae Brown singled and stole second and Hurt followed with the same single and stolen base. Keyatta Ayers ground out to short to score Brown, but the Lady Tigers was able to retire the next two hitters.
vs. FVSU
Murphy singled through the right side and scored McLeod, who singled, in the home third. Olivia Mason lofted a sac fly to score Murphy, who doubled, in the fifth to cut the margin to 7-5.
The Wildcats added two more runs in the visitor sixth. Murphy singled home Hurt in the home sixth for a 9-6 tally.
