By Cassandra S. Price Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Communications Virginia State
Desmyn Owens was just a single shy of hitting for the cycle while Alaijah Pratt earned her second straight shutout
ETTRICK, VA – The Trojans were able to take down a red hot Bowie State squad who entered matchup on an six-game win streak. The Trojans scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the first game 8-3 prior to mercy ruling BSU in the second game 8-0 in five innings.
Game 1
After a scoreless first inning, BSU struck first on an inside the park home run with a hard hit ball into left center field to give BSU the lead 2-0 in the top of the second inning. After Desmyn Owens earned a clutch strike out to leave a runner stranded on third, VSU got on the board when Alani Horton doubled to score Machenze Flood to make it 2-1 in the bottom of the third inning. In the top of the fifth inning, BSU scored on a ground out to the shortstop to extend their lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Alani Horton earned her second RBI of the game as she singled into left field to score Leah Harrison with bases loaded with no outs. Nia Hall stepped up next and doubled over the center fielders head to score Machenze Flood and Alaijah Pratt to give the Trojans the lead 4-3. Macy Beville then laid down a beautiful squeeze bunt to score Alani Horton from third base. The slugger, Desmyn Owens doubled into center field to score Nia Hall on the next at-bat. Samantha Cunningham was inches away from her second home run of the season as she doubled off the top of the center field fence to score Desmyn Owens. The Trojans scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the fifth inning to go up 7-3. Nia Hall was thrown out at third after trying to stretch her double into a triple, nonetheless, Julia Jones scored from second base to make the score 8-3. Owens earned two strikeouts in the top of the seventh inning to end the game with the Trojans taking the victory 8-3.
Top Performers
Alani Horton: 4-4, Run, 2 RBI, Double, Stolen Base
Nia Hall: 2-4, Run,3 RBI, 2 Doubles
Desmyn Owens: 1-3, Run, RBI, Double
Desmyn Owens: Win, 7 Innings Pitched, 6 Hits, 3 Earned Hits, 6 strikeouts, 3 Walks
Game 2
After a three-up, three down first inning, Desmyn Owens broke the tied with a solo shot into left center field for her second homerun of the weekend. The Trojans took the lead 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning. The Trojans went on to add to their lead in the bottom of the third inning with a single off the bat of Macy Beville to score Alaija Pratt and Machenze Flood. Desmyn Owens added another RBI to her total as she went opposite field in right for a double to score Nia Hall. Samantha Cunningham scored Macy Beville on the next at-bat to make the score 5-0. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Alani Horton scored Machenze Flood on a hard hit single to the shortstop. Alaijah Pratt went on to score on a heads up play as Alani Horton attempted to steal second base Pratt made a run for home plate right as the catcher made the throw. The score was 7-0 heading into the top of the fifth inning. The Trojans would put an early end to the ball game as Samantha Cunningham singled into left field to score Desmyn Owens from third base to give us the final score of 8-0 after five innings.
Top Performers
Alaijah Pratt: 3-3, 2 Runs, Stolen Base
Desmyn Owens: 3-3, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, Double, Triple, Homerun
Samantha Cunningham: 1-3, 2 RBI
Machenze Flood: 2-2, 2 Runs, Double
Alaijah Pratt: Win, 5 Innings pitched, 0 Runs, 2 Hit, 1 strikeout, 1 walk
Up Next
Virginia State will have a much needed week off before hosting Virginia Union in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 21 starting at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
