Nashville --- Tennessee State dropped the rubber match in Saturday's single game against visiting UT Martin at Tiger Field.

 

With the loss, the Tigers drop the season series, 1-2, moving to 15-17 (6-6 OVC) while UT Martin moved to 20-17 (4-7 OVC).

 

Caitlin Eaton (9-7) was charged with the loss. At the plate, however,  Eaton went 1-for-2 and recorded TSU's lone hit and RBI of the game.

 

In the first inning, TSU took an early 1-0 lead. Jennifer Culberson was hit by a pitch and then stole second before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt from Bridget Metzger. Caitlin Eaton later drove in Culberson with a single up the middle.

 

In the bottom of the third, TSU increased its lead up to 2-0 after capitalizing on three walks, two passed balls and one error. Melanie Cruz reached first on an error by the catcher and later crossed the plate on the Skyhawks' second passed ball of the inning.

 

TSU held its 2-0 advantage until the sixth inning when a lead off double coupled with a single up the middle led to UTM putting runners in scoring position with only one out. The Skyhawks got on the board following a sacrifice fly and added three more runs before their half of the frame ended.

 

TSU went scoreless in the sixth and the seventh as UTM went on to win 4-2.

 

The Tigers return to conference action on Wednesday when they travel to Cookeville to face the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 2 p.m.