Columbus, GA-In the championship of the loser’s bracket at the annual Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament, Fort Valley State University’s Lady Wildcats found themselves matched up against a very familiar opponent, the Albany State University Lady Rams. In a battle of the two top teams from the SIAC’s East Region, the #1 Lady Rams defeated the #2 Lady Wildcats 5-0. Fort Valley State completes its season with a record of 26-23.
The Lady Wildcats had two chances to get on the board, but could not get anyone across the plate. In the top of the second, FVSU left two runners on base. In the top of the fifth, Fort Valley managed to load the bases, but once again failed to score.
After four scoreless innings, the Lady Rams broke things wide open in the bottom of the fifth by scoring four runs off five hits. Albany State added one more run in the bottom of the sixth before holding on for the win.
Albany State first baseman Keandrea Kegler did most of the damage for the Lady Rams at the plate. Kegler was 2-for-3 with one run and 2 RBI’s. Pitcher Sasha Reece had a shutout with two hits and four strikeouts.
Fort Valley pitchers Ronkeya Garner and Wateria Hall combined to give up five runs (four earned) off eight hits. Jazmine McDaniel and Tameira Brown had the two lone hits for FVSU.
The Lady Wildcats picked up the third place trophy for their performance at the tournament. Krystal Hughes and Ronkeya Garner were both named to the All-Tournament team.
With the victory, the Lady Rams (35-27) advanced to the championship game against the Lady Bears of Miles College.