Nashville --- The Tennessee State University softball team
dropped a, 6-3, decision to Tennessee-Martin Sunday afternoon in the series
finale.
Caitlin Eaton (4-9) was charged with the loss while Chelsea
Jones (8-3) picked up the win for UT Martin.
Brittany Webb went 2-of-4 at the plate to lead TSU while
Tedra Alford registered the Tigers' only RBI of the game. Laurie Lindow paced
the UTM offense with a 3-for-3 showing at the plate while Stephanie Nidffer
tallied two RBI.
It didn't take long for the first run of the game as a lead
off triple and a sacrifice fly gave UTM an early, 1-0, lead.
In the bottom of the frame, TSU answered with a run to even
the score. Tedra Alford singled through the middle before moving all the way to
third on a throwing error by the pitcher. She crossed the plate on a wild pitch
to make the score, 1-1.
UTM managed to get the bases loaded with one out in the top
of the second. The Skyhawks would go on to post two runs in the inning to move
ahead, 3-1.
The bottom of the third saw Jasmine Brimm lead off with a
double to right field. Tedra Alford bunted to move Brimm over to third before
reaching on a fielder's choice. Alford advanced to second on a groundout by
Caitlin Eaton before the next two batters popped out to end the TSU threat.
After striking out the first batter of the inning, Caitlin
Eaton gave up three straight hits in the top of the fourth. Following the third
hit, Jasmine Brimm saved a run when she gunned down the runner trying to score
from second. UTM still managed to score a run before the inning ended.
In the bottom of the frame, Jill Gardner was hit by a pitch,
Shanika Johnson singled and Jasmine Brimm walked to load the bases with two
outs. A few moments later, Tedra
Alford walked to score a run and bring TSU to within two, 4-2.
With the bases still loaded, Chelsea Jones came in to pitch
for Amanda Brandenburg and retired the next batter to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth TSU used a two-out rally to post
another run. With Kelly Troglin on
third, a ball got away from the catcher allowing Troglin to race home and pull
TSU to within one, 4-3.
UTM, however, went back on top, 5-3, in the sixth inning
before adding another run in the seventh.
TSU got a runner on base in the bottom of the seventh but
she would eventually be left stranded on base.
Tennessee State finished the game with six hits and only
committed one error while Tennessee-Martin registered 10 hits and two errors.
TSU stranded eight runners on base while UTM left seven.
The Tigers return to action on Tuesday with a doubleheader
against Jacksonville State. Game one is slated to begin at 1 p.m. at Tiger Field.
