Alcorn State traveled to Vicksburg High School for a special game against Kentucky State on Thursday, but the result wasn’t so special.

Jittaun Thompson scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error in the fifth inning and Kentucky State handed the Lady Braves a 3-2 loss. It was Alcorn’s third consecutive loss to start the season, after it dropped a doubleheader at Southern Miss earlier in the week.

Thursday’s game was the unofficial home opener for Alcorn, and the second year in a row it has played at VHS’ Softball Swamp field. Head coach Josef Rankin relished the chance to visit Vicksburg for the game, and to have support from the fans in the area like it was a true home game.

“It’s great for us, especially to get out in the community,” Rankin said. “Usually on campus, because of our light situation, we have to play early in the day, so it’s good for us to be able to get out here, to be able to play under the lights at least somewhat at home, so that the surrounding communities can come watch us play.”

Alcorn State struck first in the game, with senior Taylor Hughes sending a runner home with an RBI single.

Junior pitcher Paige Taylor didn’t allow a hit for the first three innings. In the top of the fourth, Kentucky State’s Jackie Zubiate delivered a two-run single to give the Thorobreds a 2-1 lead. Kentucky State loaded the bases, but Taylor pitched out of the jam.

In the next inning, senior Bre Gleen smacked a double into center field that scored another run for the Lady Braves, and heading into the fifth inning the game was tied at 2. That didn’t last, as Thompson got on base with a walk, then stole second and third base before a throwing error resulted in her walking home for what would be the winning run.

Alcorn State had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, but on a full count Hughes grounded out to second to end the game.

“We swung the bat, we put the ball in play, its just a matter of, we didn’t really square up a lot of balls,” Rankin said. “We just need to square up the ball and hit the ball hard.”

Rankin thought his team could’ve performed better, and stressed that his players needed to build confidence to take the next step forward.

“It’s evident that we are kind of young in some areas, and we’re searching. It’s really a matter of being confident that you’re a Division I softball player, and not trying to be a softball player. We just have to keep getting better. We’re not doing a very good job at the plate right now, so hopefully, we’ll turn things around.”