Eaton Crushes Two Home Runs

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Tennessee State withstood a late charge by Southeast Missouri State in the second game to earn a split in Ohio Valley Conference play. TSU (10-23, 5-7) held on in the nightcap for a 6-4 victory, after the Redhawks (12-21, 3-9) earned a 9-0 five inning run-rule victory to open the day.

In the first game, the Tigers could only manage three base runners against Redhawks starter Stefanie Barnes. Junior Brittany Webb earned a first inning walk, while freshmen Brooke Blackford and Tedra Alford picked up singles.

No Tiger runner was able to advance past first base.

SEMO pounded out nine hits and scored all they would need with a four-run second inning and ended the game with a three-run game-ending home run off freshman reliever Hannah Schnebly.

Junior Caitlin Eaton suffered the loss and fell to 2-9 on the year. Eaton pitched 2.1 innings giving up six hits and four earned runs.

Eaton gained revenge in game two of the twin-bill as she hit a solo home run to open the fifth off Barnes, who just entered to pitch, and followed with a two-run blast in her next at bat. Eaton finished the game 3-for-4 two runs scored and three rbi.

Senior Christy Hill got the hit parade going in the second inning with a single. Junior Jalissa Bradley added a bunt single and scored, along with Hill, on a double down the right field line by Alford.

SEMO would cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the third, but the Tigers fired back in the fourth on an rbi single by Blackford. Sophomore Kelly Troglin scored on the hit after reaching on a fielder's choice.

Eaton's performance gave TSU a much needed 6-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Redhawks fought back with three runs on four hits off of sophomore starter Megan Hedrick. SEMO would threaten in the seventh with runners on first and second, but freshman Natalie Papini shut the door striking out the final batter of the game.

Hedrick improved to 3-5 on the season, while Papini earned just her second save.

The Tigers and the Redhawks close out the OVC three-game series at 1 pm on Saturday. The finale can be heard live on TSU campus radio station WTST with the pre-game show starting at 12:45 pm.

Tune in to the broadcast at www.tsuradio.com.