OXFORD, Ala. --- Tennessee State bounced back in the second game of the Leon Smith Classic to earn a split on day one. The Tigers exploded for 13 hits in an 11-1, five-inning, victory over Alabama A&M after falling to Missouri State 7-0 in the opener.
Selena Crafton and Sarah Snell each collected three hits in the win over Alabama A&M (5-13), and finished with four each on the day. Abi Stephens matched Crafton and Snell with three hits in game two, accounting for nine of the teams 13 knocks.
In the circle, Lauren Powell tossed a gem, allowing one unearned run while limiting the Bulldogs to just two hits. Powell (2-5) earned her second win of the season as she fanned seven batters in five innings.
The Tigers opened the scoring as Danica Gleason delivered a two out single which plated Crafton, who had reached on a single and moved into scoring position with her 11th stolen base of the season.
The scoring continued in the second frame as TSU loaded the bases with a Megan Huppee walk and back-to-back singles by Stephens and Crafton. Huppee was the first to cross home plate in the second inning as she scored on a ground ball by Courtney Gearlds. Patton Akers followed with a single to center to push Stephens home making the score 3-0.
In the third inning, the Tigers blew the game open as they had the first six batters reach on four hits, a walk and a hit by pitch. All six scored base runners were chased home as the Tigers went station-to station to increase the advantage to 9-0.
The Bulldogs would scratch their run in the bottom of the third, only to see the Tigers respond with a run in the fourth. Huppee scored for the third time in the game despite not registering an at bat – two walks and a hit by pitch.
Akers earned her second hit of the game in the fifth and came across on Snell's final hit of the day, a double into centerfield.
In game one, Missouri State (8-7) took control with runs in the second and third innings. The Bears put the game out of reach with three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh.
Lauren Woodard (0-3) was tagged with the loss as she was touched up for six runs, five earned, on 11 hits and a walk. The senior hurler fanned four before giving way to Tori Hart in the seventh. The freshman picked up the final three outs, despite allowing one run to MSU.
TSU improved to 5-14 after snapping a seven game losing streak. The Tigers will continue play on Saturday with contests against Loyola and Valparaiso. First game starts at 10:30 a.m.
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