Nashville --- The Tennessee State University softball team dropped a, 6-0, decision to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Saturday afternoon at Tiger Field.

Tennessee State (11-41, 5-21 OVC) dropped the series, 2-1, to SIU Edwardsville (24-23, 16-8 OVC).

Susie Burke recorded three strikeouts and did not yield any walks in the losing effort while Erika Taylor picked up the win for SIUE.

SIUE got on the board first with a run in the opening frame. The Cougars increased their advantage to, 3-0, in the third inning behind two hits and one TSU error.

SIUE managed to score two more runs in the top of the fourth to go up, 5-0.

In the meantime, TSU struggled against starting pitcher Erika Taylor. The Tigers were unable to record a hit or even get a runner on base through the first five innings.

The top of the sixth saw the Cougars add another run to make to score, 6-0.

In the bottom of the frame, Ashley Haynes seemed to have the Tigers' first hit of the game with a shot through the middle. But the SIUE shortstop cut it off as Haynes hurried down the line. After a close foot race, Haynes was called out by the first base umpire. 

Later in the inning, the Tigers finally got their first runner of the contest when Shanika Johnson walked.

Susie Burke retired three straight batters in the top of the seventh but the Tigers were unable to forge a comeback in their half of the frame.

Brittany Webb reached on a walk in the bottom of the seventh before advancing to second on a wild pitch. She would, however, be left stranded on base. 

TSU was unable to record a hit in the game but tallied two errors. SIUE finished the game with nine hits and no errors.

Tennessee State returns to action on Wednesday, April 27 at home against Middle Tennessee State University.