COVINGTON, Ga. – The Wildcats stepped up in level for the weekend and posted its first win. Fort Valley State received strong pitching and took advantage of a late Alabama A&M miscue to earn a 2-1 softball Friday win in the opener of the HBCU Invitational.

Tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Alexia Scott reached on a fielder's choice, moved to third two batters later on a Chasity Kates single to center field and ran home on a Bulldog error for what turned out to be the game-winning FVSU (2-3) run. Rachael Clark allowed two hits in the top of the seventh but a third-out pick off ended the Alabama A&M threat and game.

In her third collegiate appearance in the circle, Clark posted her first 'W.' The freshman pitcher scattered seven hits with one earned run to go with two strikeouts and no walks. After retiring the first three Bulldog hitters in order to start the game, she followed the one earned run of the second by settling down and retiring the next six hitters in a row. Alabama A&M runners did reach third base in both the top of the fifth and seventh frames, but Clark was there to end the threats.

At the plate, FVSU recorded six hits. Riley Youngblood double and singled in three at bats with the lone RBI. Scott singled twice, scored the game-winner and swiped a pair of bases. Kates and E'Lisia Vickers both had the others hits.

Following a one-two-three top of the first, Kates was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a Leah Leonard ground out to second. Youngblood lofted a two-out single to right for a 1-0 Wildcat lead.

In the top of the second, the Bulldogs tied the contest after a single, sac bunt and double on three-straight batters. Clark took over from there with six outs in a row for FVSU pitching.

In the home sixth, Jennifer Ramirez drew a lead-off walk, but was retired on a fielder's choice off Scott's bat. After the second out, Kates singled to center field to move Scott to third. Scott then raced home on a Alabama A&M error for the 2-1 lead.

FVSU takes to the field twice on Saturday against two more NCAA DI foes with a 10 a.m. first pitch against Jackson State and it follows with a 12 p.m. second game versus Grambling State.

-Wildcats-