Yellow Jackets Softball Drop Thrilling Heartbreaker on Senior Day

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Allen University softball team relied on their Senior Day strength to play their best game of the season on Saturday as they almost upset one of the top teams in the SIAC. However, even as Allen out hit the Albany State Rams 10-2, the Yellow Jackets came up short in the end falling 5-3.

Senior pitcher DaeShonna Beckham-Timmons pitched out of trouble in the first inning as three walks loaded the bases before Beckham wiggled out of the jam by striking out two in the inning and getting a ground out for the third out. Allen then took the lead in the bottom half as Beckham's RBI single drove in freshman RF Mattie Riddick.

Albany St then regained the lead in the 2nd inning using two walks and a passed ball to go up 2-1 as Beckham again struck out two more batters. Going into the 5th inning, Beckham had yet to give up a hit to the Rams, but ASU scratched out another run scoring on a fielder's choice after reaching on an error.

After a leadoff triple from senior SS Chyna Davis in the 5th, 3B Rachel Rolle's RBI single brought home Davis to get AU to within one run at 3-2. In the bottom of the 6th, Allen then tied the game at 3 apiece as the heart of the order led off the inning with three straight hits. It began with senior CF Morgan Moon's single followed by Beckham's single before 1B Jasmine Blaxton's powerful RBI double brought in Moon. However, two fielder's choice outs by ASU including Beckham getting tagged out at home, followed. Rolle then walked to load the bases with two outs. Unfortunately, another groundball out on a fielder's choice by catcher Marcell Hernandez ended the inning.

The Lady Rams (21-11, 14-5 SIAC) then grabbed the lead back in the 7th as they finally got their first hit off Beckham. A stolen base then followed before ASU scored on a sacrifice fly. Consecutive hit-by-pitches brought home the second run of the frame for Albany before a big double play was turned by Blaxton at first base to end the inning.

Allen then fought back in the bottom of the 7th as Moon crushed a double to the gap in left-center field with two outs. She then advanced to third on the throw. However, a tough groundout by Beckham and a very deep flyout from senior 2B Bree Spencer ended the inning.

AU knocked ten hits in the game off ASU pitching led by multi-hit games from seniors Spencer, Moon, Beckham, and Davis as each senior recorded two hits apiece. Also registering hits. on the afternoon were Blaxton and Rolle. Beckham is now hitting .267 on the year with 13 RBIs while Spencer is hitting a team-best .275 with nine extra-base hits.

Beckham threw all 7 innings allowing just 2 earned runs on 2 hits while walking eight and striking out seven. Beckham now has 145 strikeouts on the season with just two games remaining.

Allen will next hit the road for a season-ending DH at Morris College on Wednesday at 2 PM.

Game 1: ASU 8, AU 2 (Friday)

In game one on Friday, AU fell 8-2, but the game was much closer than the score would indicate. A scoreless first inning was followed by a 5-run second inning for the Rams. However, Allen almost escaped the jam with just two runs allowed, but an error continued the inning and ASU took advantage adding three more runs on a bases-clearing double.

AU then pulled to within 5-2 in the 4th as Rolle doubled in Davis and Blaxton, who had each singled and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. ASU then added two insurance runs in the 7th on two walks and a sac fly. Allen then loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 7th on a single and two walks as they looked to rally for a win. However, a fielder's choice out at home and a popup and groundout followed to end the game.

Allen tallied 7 hits in the game led by Spencer's two-hit game while Moon, Blaxton, Davis, Rolle, and Hernandez recorded base hits as well. Spencer and Rolle recorded the extra-base hits. Spencer, Moon, and Hernandez all stole bases also. Beckham again threw all 7 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits while walking 10 and striking out five.

In game two late on Friday night under the lights at MLK Park, Allen fell to ASU 19-4. Some highlights include Moon's first-inning RBI single and consecutive RBIs in the 5th inning. Blaxton drove in Moon on an RBI groundout before Davis' single scored Beckham while Rolle's RBI double scored Davis. Moon recorded a multi-hit game including a triple as Allen totaled 6 hits. Four of Allen's seniors recorded stolen bases as well.