Alcorn Softball Opens SWAC Play with Series at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Alcorn State softball starts Southwestern Athletic Conference play this weekend with a series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The series includes two games on Friday, March 6, and a final game on Saturday, March 7. The schedule was moved up due to potential weather issues, with doubleheaders on Friday and a single game Saturday, according to team officials.
Alcorn enters the series with a 9-9 record. The team has performed well at neutral sites and at home, with batting averages and stats showing strength at the plate. The Braves are hitting .306 as a team, with 120 runs scored in 18 games. They also boast a team slugging percentage of .452 and have stolen 32 of 33 base attempts, a success rate of 97%, per team statistics.
Key players include Yahnya Acevedo, who leads the team with 18 RBIs, 20 hits, six doubles, three home runs, and 37 total bases. Catcher Paris Thompson is batting .341 with two home runs and 12 RBIs. Outfielder Rajayla McBride is batting .400 with five stolen bases and a .432 on-base percentage. In the pitching circle, Chiara Olison has a 6-4 record and leads the staff with eight starts and six complete games.
Historically, Alcorn holds a slight edge over UAPB, leading 15-14 since 2013. The Braves swept last year’s series in Pine Bluff and won two of three in Lorman. The last series victory for UAPB over Alcorn was a sweep in 2024 at the Torii Hunter Softball Complex.
Coach Billie announced confidence ahead of the series, emphasizing the importance of starting strong in conference play. She acknowledged UAPB as a tough opponent and stressed that the team is prepared to compete from the first pitch. The team aims to set a positive tone early and demonstrate their ability to contend in the SWAC race.
UAPB enters the series with a 3-10 overall record and is 0-0 in conference play. The Golden Lions are coached by Michael Bumpers in his ninth season. Their 2026 team batting average is .223, with an ERA of 7.65 on the mound. Their last game was a 5-2 loss to Southern Miss, with Alcorn’s next game scheduled against Louisiana Tech on March 10.
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