Albany State softball opens conference slate with victory

ALBANY — The Albany State women’s softball team opened its conference schedule on a high note. After overcoming some early errors, ASU regrouped and beat Benedict College 14-6 to win the first contest in the three-game series.

The Lady Rams improved to 5-12 overall with its first league win of the season. The Lady Tigers fell to 5-12, 0-1.

Early errors committed by Albany State produced an early deficit. Courtesy of some miscues, Benedict jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Lady Rams got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning when Malea Maye’s sacrifice scored Jade Williams to cut Benedict’s lead to 3-1.

In the second inning, more mistakes by Albany State allowed the Lady Tigers to build a 6-1 advantage. But ASU answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Jala Stewart started the scoring with a solo homer. Then, Demeshia Russell doubled to score Kyera Whitaker to cut the deficit to 6-3.

The Lady Rams took control of the game in the third inning. After Toni Coleman and Stewart each singled, Aryn McGowan hammered a three-run homer to tie the game at six. Later in the inning, Kayla Alexander homered that produced three runs to give Albany State a 9-6 edge.

In the fourth inning, ASU continued its scoring tirade. Williams’ single scored McGowan for a 10-6 advantage. Alexander added a single that allowed Russell to score, and Maye’s sacrifice fly sent Williams home to generate a 13-6 lead.

Maye added a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to end the game via the eight-run, five-inning rule.

Alexander finished the game with two hits and four RBIs, while McGowan had two hits and three RBIs. Coleman and Stewart each added two hits. Maye had three RBIs. McGowan (4-5) was also the winning pitcher.

The Lady Rams collected 12 hits, committed seven errors and left nine runners on base.

Albany State and Benedict will finish the series on Saturday. The two teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.