HBCU Celebration Classic kicks off with eight softball games

Alabama State hosted eight softball games on campus on Friday for the first day of the HBCU Celebration Classic. The Hornets hosted Alabama A&M, Alcorn State, Florida A&M, Grambling, Southern, Tennessee State, Howard and Tuskegee.

4PM GAMES

Alabama A&M took care of business against Alcorn State winning 7-3. AAMU scored two runs in the first and four in the seventh inning to secure the win.

Tuskegee came away with a 10-8 victory over Southern in 12 innings, despite trailing 2-0 after the third. Skegee scored three runs in the fourth to get back on top before a thrilling ninth. Tuskegee scored the go ahead run in the top of the ninth, but Southern tied it back in the bottom of the frame to force extra innings. It went to 12 innings before Tuskegee overpowered Southern scoring three runs in the final inning.

Tennessee State came out of the gates strong to beat Florida A&M 7-4. The Tigers scored two in the bottom of the first and followed that up with three in the second inning, cruising to the win.

6PM GAMES

Alabama State took the field at the Barbara Williams Complex and squeezed by Grambling State for a 6-4 win. The Hornets jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the second inning. Grambling made a rally with three runs in the fifth but it wasn’t enough to hold off the home team.

Howard University was all over Southern University as the Bison blanked the Jaguars 8-0, almost throwing a no hitter. Howard had a big third running scoring five runs. The Howard pitchers held Southern to just one hit in the game.

Tennessee State had its way with Tuskegee in a 9-1 victory that was called after five innings. TSU erupted with four runs in both the second and fourth innings respectively.

8PM NIGHTCAP

Howard continued to roll into the evening with a 4-0 shutout victory over Alabama A&M. The Bison started the game on fire with three runs in the first inning, cruising for the rest of the way.

FAMU got its first win of the season on Friday night after beating Alcorn State 8-2. The game was scoreless heading into the fourth when FAMU whipped out four runs. The Rattlers followed that up in the fifth inning with three runs. FAMU is now 1-11 on the season.

SATURDAY MATCHUPS

A total of nine games will be played on Saturday at the HBCU Celebration Classic beginning at 10am.

• Howard vs Tennessee State

• Southern vs Alabama A&M

• Grambling vs Tuskegee

• Howard vs Alabama State

• Tuskegee vs Alabama A&M

• Grambling vs FAMU

• Tennessee St vs Alabama State

• FAMU vs Southern

• Tuskegee vs Alcorn State

The HBCU Celebration Classic concludes with two games on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.