Nashville --- The Tennessee State University softball team split Saturday afternoon's double-header with Austin Peay at Tiger Field.
After claiming a 4-2 win in the opening game, Austin Peay (7-25, 3-12 OVC) dropped a 2-0 decision to Tennessee State (14-26, 6-11 OVC) in the second contest.
Austin Peay captured a 1-0 lead in the first after Ashley Alverson doubled down the left field line to plate Ashley Taylor. Amanda Vaught got the next batter to fly out to end the inning.
TSU evened the score in the bottom of the fourth. Tamara Perkins got things started with a single to right before advancing to third on an error by the right fielder. She later scored when Bridget Metzger hit a slap shot to second and reached on a fielder's choice.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers grabbed a 2-1 lead after Jennifer Gregory walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Perkins. With two outs, Brittany Webb hit a run-scoring single through the left side. The Lady Govs, however, responded in the seventh to knot the game 2-2 and eventually force extra innings.
The Tigers threatened to score in their half of the inning with a runner in scoring position but left the runner stranded on base.
TSU had an opportunity to score after a lead off double by Perkins in the bottom of the eighth. But Ashley Elrod retired the next three batters to leave the runner stranded on second.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, two hits and a walk led to Austin Peay loading the bases. The next batter, Tiffany Smith, knocked in two runs with a single to center field.
Elrod retired three straight batters in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.
Tamara Perkins was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate while Amanda Vaught moved to 10-18 on the season. Bridget Metzger and Brittany Webb both recorded one RBI for TSU.
The second game was scoreless through the first five and a half innings before Tennessee State scored the first and only runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth. Bridget Metzger led the inning off with a walk. Brittany Webb then reached on an error by the second baseman as Metzger advanced to third. Jill Gardner pinch ran for Webb and advanced to second following a groundout to the shortstop by Royesha Goodman. With two runners in scoring position, Melanie Cruz singled through the left side to plate Gardner and Metzger.
Austin Peay had a runner in scoring position in the top of the seventh with only one out but two back to back ground outs would end the game and seal the win.
Weber picked up her fourth win of the season as Melanie Cruz led TSU with two RBI's.
Tennessee State will travel to Western Kentucky for non-conference action on Tuesday, April 15. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
