By Alan Wiederhold
HT Athletic Communications
AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's second-ever HBCU Athletic Conference softball series did not begin as successfully as its first, as the Rams fell to Talladega (Ala.) 17-10 in the opener Friday.
Playing their first true night game of the season, the Rams kept pace with the visiting Tornados for five innings before the Talladega scored seven unanswered runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
HT sophomore Alayali Alaniz led the Rams with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate with two runs scored and three RBIs. A preseason all-conference honoree from La Joya, Texas, Alaniz blasted her team-leading third homerun of the season, a two-run hit that also scored freshman Kieana Cruz.
Alaniz and Cruz were two of the five HT players with multiple hits in the game. Cruz went 3-for-4 with a double, while Madison Stimpson went 3-for-3 and drew a walk in the game.
Denae Hernandez and Alexis Tamez each had two hits for the Rams. Tamez also had an RBI on a double she hit in the second inning; Ciara Cantu, Kayla Guerrero, and Hailey-Jane Holder also collected RBIs in the game.
HT got all of its runs in the first and fifth innings, scoring five runs apiece. Talladega scored three in the second to erase the Rams' 5-2 first-inning lead.
Talladega (2-12) improved to 2-2 in conference play, with Seminole McShan picking up the win in relief after giving up only a run in two and two-thirds innings of work. Tamez pitched a complete game for HT (3-15, 3-1 HBCUAC). She struck out six batters and was charged with 12 earned runs.
The Rams return to action Saturday, March 7, when they conclude their series with Talladega. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m., with the early start time dictated by the threat of rain in Central Texas.
– HT –
Â
