GULFPORT, Miss. – Alabama State scored four runs across the first three innings Thursday evening to eliminate Bethune-Cookman by a score of 4-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball Tournament at Gulfport Sportsplex.
 
Alabama State (28-28) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning.
 
After catcher Brooke Ramsey reached on a fielding error charged to the Bethune-Cookman infield, it allowed Kindal DeRamus to score from second after she singled in her at-bat one play prior.
 
The Hornets added three clutch runs in the top of the third to widen the lead, 4-0.
 
With the bases loaded and two away, Alexia Denby delivered a three-run scoring double to left field.
 
Bethune-Cookman (20-32) chipped into the lead in the home-half of the inning.
 
Shanai Owens walked to begin the Wildcats at-bat, followed by Thais Uyema's single to shortstop. But the play extended when Hornets shortstop Alana Scott was credited with an error, allowing both runners to advance a base, putting two in scoring position. Senior right fielder Essence Gibbs punched an RBI single up the middle to drive in Owens and get the Cats on the board, 4-1.
 
Kohana Pousson (6-6) collected the win in the circle for the Hornets as she went the distance, allowing one unearned run on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts. The loss went to BCU junior Halyne Gonzalez (14-17) as she went all seven innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits and registering a game-high seven strikeouts.
 
The BCU offense was led at the top by Gibbs with a 1-for-3 night and an RBI. All-SWAC First Team selection Ciera Clark also had a hit for the Cats, as well as Owens and Uyema.
 
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