Florida A&M

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Jamison
2
Texas Southern TSU 30-11
3
Winner Florida A&M FAMU 31-19
Texas Southern TSU
30-11
2
Final
3
Florida A&M FAMU
31-19
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Texas Southern TSU 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 4 0
Florida A&M FAMU 2 0 0 1 0 0 X 3 6 0

W: Hughes, Zoryana (14-4) L: Kylie Wilson (8-3)

Game Recap: Softball |

Florida A&M defeats Texas Southern and Advances to SWAC Championship

GULFPORT, Miss. — Zoryana Hughes locked in for the big moments, Neriah Lee was on base every time she stepped to the plate, and Jordan Douglas delivered the insurance run the Rattlers needed. Florida A&M opened the SWAC Softball Semifinals with a gritty 3-2 victory over Texas Southern on Thursday evening at Gulfport Sportsplex, advancing in the tournament bracket with a performance that was taut from start to finish.

Hughes went the full seven innings against one of the SWAC's hotter teams, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out three. The junior left-hander was at her best when Texas Southern threatened most — retiring the Tigers on a groundout to end the seventh with a runner on base after a Jade McQueen solo homer had made it a 3-2 game. Hughes induced 10 groundball outs on the afternoon, keeping the ball in the infield and trusting her defense to make plays behind her.

FAMU staked itself to an early lead in the first inning. Lee singled to right-center to open the frame, Battle laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her to second, and Townsend singled to shortstop to advance Lee to third. With two runners on and one out, Townsend stole second as Lee stood at third, then Amari Brown singled up the middle — advanced to second on the throw — to plate Lee and put FAMU ahead 1-0. Spooner followed with a sacrifice fly to left-center to score Townsend, and just like that the Rattlers had built a 2-0 cushion before Texas Southern came to bat.

The Tigers responded quickly. In the second, McQueen doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from DaNia Durr. Penelope Saenz then lifted a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The go-ahead insurance run came in the fourth. With two outs and the bases empty, Douglas sent a 2-1 pitch to center field for a solo home run, her sixth of the season, to push FAMU's advantage back to two. It was the kind of opportunistic power that has defined this team all year — a two-out solo shot when the lineup most needed a cushion.

Texas Southern threatened in the seventh. With two outs and the game at 3-2 following the McQueen homer, Durr drew a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Amerie Martin. Hughes faced Saenz next and induced a flyout to right to end the inning and seal the victory. The command and composure she showed in the final frame — protecting a one-run lead in a tournament game against a dangerous lineup — was among the best pitching moments of her season.

Lee was outstanding at the top of the order, going 3-for-3 and reaching base all three times she stepped to the plate. She scored the first run of the game and continued to set the table in every inning she came up. Brown finished 1-for-3 with the key RBI single in the first. Spooner added a sacrifice fly and drew a walk. The Rattlers went 6-for-21 at the plate but made their hits count in the moments that mattered.

Texas Southern's Wilson pitched a complete game as well, surrendering three runs on six hits while striking out two. The 30-win Tigers gave FAMU everything they could handle.
 
FAMU will play for the SWAC championship on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and the opponent is to be determined. 

Key Stats — Florida A&M 3, Texas Southern 2

Batting
Neriah Lee — 3-3, R (reached base all 3 PA; scored opening run)
Jordan Douglas — 1-3, HR (solo, 2 outs, 4th inning), RBI, R
Amari Brown — 1-3, RBI (go-ahead single in 1st, advanced to 2B on throw)
Keeleigh Spooner — 0-1, SF, RBI, BB
Pitching
Zoryana Hughes (W) — 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR (complete game)
 
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