MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Mississippi Valley State University softball program rode the arm of Ashtyn Clark and the all-around offensive prowess of Michelle Diaz to a win in game two over Bluefield State (4-1) while coming within two outs of beating Miles in the opener before falling (8-7).
 
The Basics:
 

• Score (Game 1)
  • Miles – 8
  • Mississippi Valley – 7

 

• Score (Game 2)
  • Mississippi Valley – 4
  • Bluefield State – 1

 

• Records
  • Mississippi Valley (1-7, 0-0 SWAC)
  • Miles (7-8, 0-0 SIAC)
  • Bluefield State (0-6, 0-0 CIAA)

 

• Location
  • Montgomery, Alabama – Lagoon Park

 

• Series History (Miles)
  • Diamond Devilettes Lead 2-1 (66.7%)

 

• Series History (Bluefield State)
  • Diamond Devilettes Lead 1-0 (100%)

 

• Winning Streak (Miles)
  • Golden Bears (W1) / Diamond Devilettes' Last Win: February 23, 2018 (9-3)

 

• Winning Streak (Grambling State)
  • Diamond Devilettes (W1) / Big Blue's Last Win: N/A

 
Diamond Devilettes' Top Performers (Game 1):
 

• Michelle Diaz came to the plate four times and got aboard in each, going for a triple, a single, plus two walks, stealing a pair of bases as well as driving home a run and scoring once.

 

• Devyn Dotson had the other extra-base hit of the opener, lacing a two-run double into left field in addition to coaxing two free passes.

 

• Jamiyah Gary was the final Devilette to reach safely more than twice, slapping two singles and drawing a base on balls.

 

• Both Sheridan Kynard and Taniya Partee went 2-for-4 with a run scored, the former tacking on a ribbie, whereas Taylor Fuller reached twice courtesy of a knock and a bean ball.

 
Diamond Devilettes' Top Performers (Game 2):
 

• Diaz wrapped up her sparkling day at the dish by going 3-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in, another walk, and another run scored.
  • In total on Saturday, she made eight plate appearances and reached safely in all of them, garnering five hits and three RBIs, missing the doubleheader cycle by the home run.

 

• Ashtyn Clark was the skid stopper, giving up zero earned runs and just one unearned, pulling off the complete game performance where she danced around nine baserunners and struck out a pair.

 

• Kynard picked up the other multi-hit affair in the late window, going 2-for-4 again and crossing the plate.

 

• Hailey Akers swiped second base and brought home a run on a groundout whereas Kelsey Kaluna-Thomas also got her RBI with situational softball.

 
Next:
  

• Coach Riddick-Waters' team will try to end the tournament with back-to-back wins over CIAA schools when it tussles with the Lincoln (Pennsylvania) Lions at 10 a.m. on Sunday before returning to campus.

   
Follow the Mississippi Valley State softball program on Instagram (@ValleyStateSB).
 
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