Albany State softball completes sweep of Benedict

ALBANY — The Albany State women’s softball team played contrasting games on Saturday afternoon. Nevertheless, ASU emerged victorious to complete a three-game series sweep of Benedict.

After defeating the Lady Tigers 14-6 on Friday, the Lady Rams slipped past Benedict in the first game, 5-3, before taking Game 3 in commanding fashion by the score of 16-3.

The pair of wins gives Albany State a 7-12 overall record and 3-0 SIAC mark.

In the first game, Albany State opened the game with its first run in the first inning. After Kayla Alexander tripled, Malea Maye followed with an RBI double for a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Rams held the advantage until Benedict tied the game in the top of the fourth. ASU answered in the bottom of the inning. Kyera Whitaker hit a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Lavette Tucker to go score, and Albany State led 2-1.

After scoreless fifth and sixth innings, the Lady Tigers used the top of the seventh to take a 3-2 edge. However, ASU rallied.

Danielle Turner scored off a fielders choice. Then, Jala Stewart smashed a two-run homer to give Albany State the victory.

Maye recorded two hits and two RBIs, while Alexander and Brianna Murillo each added two hits. Tiffany Massey (2-6) was the winning pitcher.

The Lady Rams collected nine hits and left eight runners on base.

In the second game, Albany State didn’t leave anything to question in the finale. The Lady Rams’ dominance emerged in the bottom of the second inning.

Stewart scored off an error to give the team a 1-0 lead. Then, Jade Williams belted a double to center field to score Whitaker, Aryn McGowan and Murillo. Williams eventually scored and Maye hit a two-run homer to build an 8-0 lead.

After Benedict scored two runs in the top of the third, ASU added to its advantage. Maye singled to send Williams home for a 9-2 edge. Coleman recorded the biggest highlight of the day when she smashed a grand slam to give the Lady Rams a 13-2 lead. A walked run gave Albany State a 14-2 advantage.

The Lady Rams completed its scoring in the fourth inning. Maye added a two-run homer to put ASU ahead 16-2. The Lady Tigers scored a single run in the fifth, and the game ended with the eight-run, five-inning rule.

Maye finished the game with three hits and five RBIs, while Coleman had three hits with four RBIs. McGowan (5-5) was the winning pitcher.

Albany State will return to action March 11-12 when it travels to Orangeburg, S.C. to face Claflin University. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday at 2 p.m.