Alcorn State softball will honor its senior players during a four-game series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff starting Thursday at 2 p.m. The series will take place at the Alcorn Softball Complex in Lorman, Mississippi, and will include a suspended game from March that was halted due to weather in the top of the seventh inning.
The games are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, with live stats available for all contests. Fans can follow the team on X/Twitter at @BravesSports and on Instagram at @AlcornSports.
Alcorn enters the series seeking to end an eight-game losing streak. The matchup is critical for the final SWAC Tournament spot, which is contested among UAPB, Grambling State, and Alcorn. All three teams have games to make up or complete due to weather disruptions.
At home this season, the Braves have a 7-8 record but have lost 11 consecutive conference games dating back to last season. Key players include Yahnya Acevedo, Olivia Miller, and Rajayla McBride, each with more than 30 hits. The team has stolen 51 of 56 bases this season, and both Acevedo and Miller have just six strikeouts in 238 combined at-bats.
Pitcher Alainah Felton has a team-high .463 slugging percentage with a double and three home runs, sharing the team lead in homers. Chiara Olison has posted a 7-18 record with a 7.06 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 120 innings. Miller is two hits shy of 100 for her career, while Acevedo is 16 hits away from the milestone.
The series marks a historic rivalry, tied at 15-15 since 2013. Alcorn has won three of the last five meetings, though UAPB won the most recent game in Arkansas, 13-4. The last series played in Mississippi was in 2014, with Alcorn taking two of three games. Since then, the Braves are 7-2 at home against the Golden Lions.
Coach Billie expressed pride in her seniors ahead of the series. “This weekend is going to be emotional; there’s no way around it,” she said. “These seniors have given so much to this program and university. I want them to go out and play free, soak it all in, and be proud of their accomplishments.”
She added, “We understand what’s at stake and are preparing with urgency. We want to give our fans something to cheer for this weekend.”
UAPB enters the series with an 11-25 overall record and a 4-11 mark in SWAC play. Under head coach Michael Bumpers, the team has a .273 batting average, averages 4.5 runs per game, and has stolen 51 bases this season. The team’s ERA stands at 6.52, with opponents batting .340 against them.
Alcorn’s recent game saw a 13-0 loss at Southeastern Louisiana, with Shelby Morris leading the Lions’ offense with three hits and five RBIs. The Braves are also finishing a postponed game against Grambling State, which could impact their postseason fate.
The upcoming series and remaining game are vital for both teams’ postseason hopes, with the final SWAC Tournament spot on the line.
