BOX SCORE GULFPORT, Miss. – A late rally fell short for the Prairie View A&M softball team (16-15), as the Lady Panthers dropped a 7-5 decision to Southern on day two of the 2021 Southwestern Athletic Conference Softball Tournament at the Gulfport Sportplex.

How it Happened:
Southern jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning and scrapped runs across to build a 6-0 advantage entering the sixth inning. The Lady Panthers finally got on the board in the bottom of the frame, starting with a leadoff single from Gabrielle Fonseca, Ryleigh Love laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Fonseca into scoring position. Fonseca stole third, and Alyssa Garcia slapped a RBI single up the middle for the Lady Panthers' first run of the game.

Following a steal by pinch-runner Kyra Lunford, Kimberly Hernandez blasted an Aubrion James pitch to left center for a two-run homer that cut Southern's lead in half. However, Southern added an insurance run in the top of the seventh.

The Lady Panthers mounted a chance as Jayla Richard singled to start the frame and moved to second on a groundout. Then, Natalie McLennan singled to put runners on the corners, McLennan swiped second with two outs, and Love followed with a two-run double to clear the bases and bring the Lady Panthers within two. However, Prairie View A&M was unable to get any closer.

Love was 2-for-3 on the day to lead all PVAMU hitters.

Next Up:
The loss sends Prairie View A&M to the bottom half of the bracket, where they will face Jackson State in a win-or-go-home contest tomorrow.

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