ALBANY, GA – Locked in a fierce pitcher's duel, the Kentucky State University softball team finally broke through with three runs in the top of the eighth inning to post the 3-0 upset victory over #1E Albany State Thursday in the opening round of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

"I'm very proud of the team," said Kentucky State University head coach David Morton. "We played a solid game and pushed all eight innings. Albany State is a great team, and we knew we had to play our game and keep the pressure up, and we did that. We look to continue pressing and fighting."

Kentucky State's rally started with an error in the eighth inning, and a one-out single by sophomore Kailen Olison (Moreno Valley, CA) put pinch runner Gabriella Gracia (Trullio Alto, PR) in scoring position. Freshman Olivia Steward drilled a single up the middle to score Gracia from second, and a throwing error allowed Olison to score and Steward to advance to third.

After a strikeout, junior Sasha Allen (West Covina, CA) brought home Steward for another insurance run.

Steward and Olison combined for four of Kentucky State's seven hits as Olison was 2-for-4 with a run scored and Steward was 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI.

The Thorobreds thought the go-ahead run was going to cross the plate in the top of the seventh on a two-out, bases loaded hit by pitch – but it was determined the batter caused the hit by pitch.

The starters – KSU's Paola Flores (San Lorenzo, PR) and ASU's Aryn McGowan – did their best work with runners in scoring position, holding the team's to 0-for-14 over the first seven innings.

Flores (14-12) got out of two bases loaded jams and an ASU threat with runners on first and third with one out. She hurled a gem, allowing no runs on eight hits with four walks and four strikeouts.

Kentucky State (23-24) advances to play #2W Tuskegee Noon Friday at the Gordon Sports Complex.