TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Stillman College softball team used early offense and consistent production to sweep a doubleheader from the Talladega College Tornadoes, winning 6-1 and 12-4 in five innings, to sweep an HBCU Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday at the Stillman Softball Complex. 

Game 1 — Stillman 6, Talladega 1

Stillman took control early and never looked back, scoring in the first inning and building steadily throughout the game.

Alex Erwin sparked the offense, reaching and coming around to score on Avary Lumpkin's RBI single to open the scoring. Lumpkin later scored on Katelyn Lankford's RBI double, and Lankford crossed the plate on Olivia Hobson's RBI double as Stillman surged ahead 3-0.

The Tigers added on in the second when Erwin again set the table and scored on Lumpkin's second RBI single of the game, extending the lead to 4-0.

Stillman created separation in the sixth with productive outs. Erwin scored on Lumpkin's sacrifice fly, and Lily Stone followed by crossing the plate on Anna Sullivan's sacrifice fly to make it 6-0.

Talladega managed a late run in the seventh, but Stillman's early offense proved decisive.

Erwin led the attack with three hits and three runs scored while also swiping two bases. Lumpkin drove in three runs, and Lankford and Hobson each added RBI doubles.

In the circle, Faith Byram was in control, allowing just one unearned run over 6.2 innings while inducing 14 groundouts before Michaela Otts recorded the final out.

Game 2 — Stillman 12, Talladega 4

Stillman answered an early deficit with a dominant offensive surge to complete the sweep.

Talladega struck first with three runs in the opening inning, but Stillman responded immediately as Alex Erwin scored on Lily Stone's RBI single to cut into the deficit.

The Tigers took control in the second with a five-run inning built on timely hitting. Erwin delivered a sacrifice fly to score Gracie Fjeldstad, Lumpkin followed with an RBI single to bring home Addison Seale, and Anna Sullivan added an RBI single to score Stone. Katelyn Lankford drove in another run with a single, and JaLeah Orr capped the inning with a two-run double to give Stillman a 7-3 lead.

Stillman continued to add on in the third as Erwin used her speed and pressure to score on a sequence of defensive errors, pushing the lead to 9-3.

Talladega added a run in the fourth, but Stillman answered again. Orr delivered another RBI double in the fourth to score Makynli Kidd, and Erwin added an inside-the-park home run in the fifth. Orr capped the scoring with her third double of the game, driving in another run to make it 12-4.

Orr led the offense with three doubles and four RBIs, while Erwin finished with three hits, including the inside-the-park home run, and three RBIs.

Stillman's baserunning remained aggressive throughout, with steals from Kidd, Fjeldstad, and Seale helping generate scoring opportunities.

Jasmine Wade earned the win, allowing four runs, just one earned, over five innings while working through early pressure.

Up Next:

Stillman and Talladega meet tomorrow to wrap the HBCUAC series, starting at 3 p.m.