Nashville --- In a game saddled with errors from both teams, the Tennessee
State University softball team dropped a tough 5-3 decision to Morehead State
in extra innings Sunday evening at Tiger Field.
Tennessee State dropped to 7-15 (2-3 OVC) while Morehead State
claimed improved to 11-12 (4-1 OVC).
The early part of the game was a pitching battle between
Natalie Papini and Alex Gjevre as each hurler only yielded two hits apiece through
the first five innings.
Morehead finally posted the first run of the game in the top
of the fifth. Back-to-back errors put runners on first and third with no outs
for the Eagles. The Tigers were able to pick-off the third base runner but
committed yet another error and allowed a run to score.
Natalie Papini got in trouble in the top of the sixth when
she gave up a single, a walk and another hit that resulted in Morehead scoring
its second run of the game. With MSU leading 2-0, Schnebly came in to relieve
Papini and got out of the inning without any more runs scoring.
TSU finally got on the board in the sixth inning. Metzger reached first after being hit by a
pitch and then scored when Brittany Webb doubled to center field. Schnebly came
in to run for Webb and advanced to third on a hit by Caitlin Eaton before
scoring on a wild pitch. The Tigers took the lead, 3-2, when Kara Murr, who ran
for Eaton, crossed the plate.
In the seventh, with a runner on third, a wild pitch led to
Morehead knotting the game 3-3 before Tennessee State went down in order in the
bottom half of the frame.
In the top of the eighth, with the bases loaded, two outs
and a full-count, Sam Woodall drove in two runs with a single to center to give
MSU a 5-3 lead.
The Tigers couldn't answer in their half of the frame as the
Eagles went on to claim the series 2-1.
Hannah Schnebly (4-4) was charged with the loss for TSU
while Alex Gjevre (6-7) picked up the win for MSU. Natalie Papini and Megan Hedrick also saw action in the circle for TSU.
TSU had six hits and three errors while MSU recorded eight
hits and four errors in the game.
The Tigers will return to action on Tuesday when they host
the Lady Govs of Austin Peay at Tiger Field. The first game of the doubleheader
is scheduled for 3 p.m.
