Columbia, S.C. – The second day of the Carolina Classic proved to be an uphill climb for Tennessee State. The Tigers dropped both games on the day after falling behind early in each contest. TSU lost the morning tilt 6-3 to No. 24 South Alabama and lost the evening battle 7-0 to Charleston Southern. The Tigers are now 3-7, while South Alabama improved to 13-3 and Charleston Southern moved to 10-7.
Trailing 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers mounted a comeback with three runs to cut the lead in half. With the bases loaded, Chelsea Buchanan collected her first career RBI with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Joselynn Yates. Sophomore-transfer Danica Gleason followed with a triple to right center chasing home Lindsey Burgess and Tayler Shimizu.
TSU tried to cut into the Jaguars lead, but could not take advantage of a bases loaded opportunity in the fifth inning. The Tigers would get a runner on base in each of the final two innings, but could not push another run across against USA hurler Devin Brown who improved to 6-2.
Amber Galyon (0-4) took the loss, working 1.2 innings and surrendering four runs, three earned. Savannah Womack tossed the final 5.1 innings allowing two runs on one hit and two walks.
Gleason led the way at the plate going 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs batted in. Courtney Gearlds picked up a pair of hits in four at bats and stole her sixth base of the season.
Kate Morris, Yates and Buchanan each collected a hit during the morning contest.
The nightcap started the same as the opener with Charleston Southern jumping out to a 7-0 after four innings of play. The Tigers were not able to mount a comeback against starting pitcher Cheyenne Gandara. TSU could only manage hits from Kailey Richard and Cariona Hassell. Burgess and Kate Morris each reached on walks to provide the only baserunners the Tigers could work off of Gandara (6-4).
Taylor Green pitched the first 3.2 innings against CSU and fell to 3-2 on the season. Junior Jasmine Matchen allowed two hits and struck out two over the final 2.1 innings.
The Tigers will face No. 27 South Carolina in the final game of the classic on Sunday at 3:00 ET. The game can be seen on the SEC Network Plus.
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