Larson goes 3-for-3 in Game 1

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GREENSBORO, March 17, 2009 – The North Carolina A&T softball team rallied from a four-run deficit in the first game of a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex, but could not overcome walking 10 batters as Southeast Missouri State defeated the Aggies 8-7. The Redhawks won the second game 6-0.

The Aggies dropped their first two home games of the season. In the first game, Junior catcher Jessie Larson went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Junior Bianca Alsobrook had two hits, two RBIs and a run scored.

The Aggies found themselves down 4-0 after the first inning. But the Aggies would slowly chip away at the Redhawks’ lead. The Aggies were down 5-2 going into the home half of the fourth. That changed as Larson hit a one-out double to right center, which was followed by an RBI double by Bianca Alsobroook to move the Aggies to within two runs.   

Alsobrook scored on a fielding error to cut the Redhawks’ lead to 5-4. The Redhawks would add another run in the fifth before the Aggies were able to take their first lead of the game. SEMO went to Giana Zimmerman on the mound, but she was not able to stop the Aggies rally.

Channing Statham hit a one-out single to left field. Bullock continued the Aggies hot hitting by doubling to left field. With the runners on third and second, Larson double to right-center to tie the game at 6. The Aggies were not finished.

Alsobrook walked and Britney Reddick reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. After Ashley Carter flew out to left, Larson would come home on a passed ball to give the Aggies their first lead of the game at 7-6. But through their own mishaps, the Aggies were not able to keep the Redhawks off the base pads.

In the sixth, Tiffany Blanco reached first on a throwing error. Another throwing error allowed Blanco reach third base. She would score on a Shelby Stein RBI single to tie the game.

In the seventh, Renee Kertz led off the inning by being walked. Carmen Fowler moved her to second on a sacrifice bunt. Kertz then moved to third on a passed ball. Nicole Troncoso would deliver the game-winning RBI with an infield single that scored Kertz.

The Aggies tried to rally once more in the seventh as Larson hit her third double of the game. But Alsobrook and Reddick would strikeout swinging to end the game. In the second game, Jennifer Luper recorded two hits, but the Aggies offense could not muster any runs. SEMO starter Stefanie Barnes struck out seven Aggies in seven shutout innings. Luper struck out five and gave up just three earned runs on the mound.