GULFPORT, Miss. – The Prairie View A&M softball team opened the 2022 Southwestern Athletic season with a 0-19 record, to finish as the SWAC Champions, after defeating Alabama State in the if-necessary game on Saturday afternoon, with a 9-1 win. 
 
The Lady Panthers went through the tournament as one of the undefeated teams in the conference tournament.  Friday was championship day, but the Lady Panthers faced their first loss to Alabama State, forcing the if-neccessary game.  The Lady Panthers Cinderella team found their sprinkle of magic that was needed to capture the 2022 title.
 
"We came in today with the mindset of winning," said head softball coach Vernon Bland.  "Yesterday's game was our wakeup call and today we came in and did what we needed to do.  I am so proud of this team and this coaching staff (Lane and Rodriguez) right now!" 
 
How it Happened: 

• Sophomore transfer Taliya Talley opened the bottom of the second inning crushing a double to right center.  Sophomore Destinee Smith followed right behind her with a bunt single.  After stealing second base the Lady Panthers had runners on second and third.  An infield single by Natalie McLennan juiced the bases.   
• Brandi Juarez was walked bringing in Talley for a 1-0 lead.  Audrey Garcia tripled to left center to take a 4-0 lead.  With the bases loaded again Jerrica Rojas smacked a one-out grand slam to take an 8-0 lead over Alabama State.   
• PVAMU added an insurance run in the bottom of the third.  Alabama State answered with a run in the top of the fifth.  From there pitcher freshman Cailin Massey slammed the door, allowing five hits going the distance as Prairie View A&M improved to a 20-27 overall record and a bid to the NCAA Tournament. 
• The offense was led by Jaylyn Davis, who went 2-for-3 from the plate, while Rojas was 1-for-3 with 4 RBI's and Garcia was 1-for-4 with 3 RBI's.

2022 SWAC Softball All-Tournament Team 
Briana Paysinger- Bethune-Cookman 
Mila Rodriguez- Texas Southern
Jazmine Gendorf- Texas Southern
Paytin Mercado- Southern
Roxsanna Segura- Southern 
Lauren Stewart- Jackson State
Jaeda Gardner- Alabama State
Kindall DeRamus- Alabama State
Bailey Greenlee- Alabama State
Jerrica Rojas- Prairie View A&M
Cailin Massey- Prairie View A&M
Biviana Figueroa- Prairie View A&M  
  
Most Valuable Player 
Biviana Figueroa- Prairie View A&M  
 
Prairie View A&M will await to see who their opponents will be during the selection show on Sunday, May 15 at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN2. 
 
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