April 29, 2006

Itta Bena, MS - Around the Southwestern Athletic Conference when you talk about softball you have to mention these two teams who have carried the mantle for SWAC softball in the past few years; they entered Saturday's contest with highly-charged emotions and top-caliber ability. After seven innings of play, the Mississippi Valley State University Devilettes found themselves a 9-2 winner and a berth in Sunday's championship contest.

MVSU's Jalana Brown pitched seven innings striking out four for the win. Southern (26-23, 17-7 SWAC) senior, Jamila Taylor, went 5 2/3 innings allowing nine hits and eight runs in the loss. Valley's Balencia Young finished the game going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and four runs driven in. She capped off her day with a three-run blast in the sixth inning; she also had an RBI double in the second inning. Candy Shumpert drove in three runs while Nakelya Moragne scored two runs in the game.

The Lady Jaguars senior Jayme Roberts, went 3-for-4 while sophomore Tiffany Darville and junior Brittany Jefferson each scored for the Lady Jags.

The lost drops the Blue and Gold into the losers bracket where they were suppose to play the Alcorn State University Lady Braves, but with the weather playing havoc on the field tournament play was suspended and the game will be played on Sunday at 11:00 am. The SWAC championship game will follow with the winner facing tournament host Mississippi Valley.