NORTHPORT, Ala. – The Stillman College softball team had a day of battles as the Tigers defeated the Rust College Bearcats, 3-2, to open the day. However, Stillman went on to lose 1-0 to the Dillard University Lady Bleu Devils in walkoff fashion in eight innings Sunday evening during the HBCU Athletic Conference Softball Championship at River Run Park.
Game 1 — Stillman 3, Rust 2
Stillman built an early lead and held on late behind strong pitching to secure a narrow victory.
The Tigers struck in the first when
Alex Erwin scored on
Anna Sullivan's RBI single, and Sullivan came around moments later on
Katelyn Lankford's RBI double to make it 2-0.
Stillman added what proved to be the decisive run in the second.
Addison Seale crossed the plate after
Avary Lumpkin drew a bases-loaded walk, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Rust chipped away in the fifth with a sacrifice bunt RBI, then pulled within one in the seventh on a groundout that plated an unearned run, cutting the margin to 3-2.
Stillman's offense was paced by Lankford, who had two hits and an RBI, while Sullivan added a hit and an RBI, and Erwin scored a run at the top of the order.
On the bases, Stillman created opportunities with steals from Seale and
Addison Nuspl.
In the circle,
Jasmine Wade earned the win, allowing one run over 4.1 innings while working around traffic.
Michaela Otts closed the game, allowing just one unearned run over the final 2.2 innings to secure the save.
Game 2 — Dillard 1, Stillman 0 (8 innings)
Stillman was locked in a pitching duel but was unable to capitalize offensively as Dillard pushed across the only run in extra innings.
Both teams traded scoreless frames through regulation, with Stillman generating scattered opportunities but unable to bring a run home despite six hits.
Anna Sullivan led the Tigers with two hits, while
Alex Erwin,
Avary Lumpkin, and
Makynli Kidd each added one.
In the eighth, Dillard broke through with an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead and walk off with the win.
Crocker was strong in the circle despite taking the loss, allowing just one run on eight hits over seven innings while striking out five.
Up Next:
The Stillman Tigers play at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, with the opponent to be determined in an elimination contest. Stillman faces the winner of the Wiley University and Oakwood University matchup, which takes place at noon.
