GAME 3: North Alabama 9, Tennessee State 1 (6)
RECORDS: TSU (0-3), UNA (4-2)
FIELD: Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium
LOCATION: Florence, Ala.
WEATHER: Sunny, 73

FLORENCE, Ala. --- The Tennessee State softball team jumped out early in the series finale against North Alabama before succumbing to the Lions offensive attack. The Tigers fell to 0-3 to open the season after a six inning, 9-1, loss.

Freshmen Rayne Gray and Peyton Fointno teamed up to give TSU an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Gray drove a shot over the left fielders head to record er first collegiate double before crossing home plate on a triple by Fointno. The first year shortstop ripped a shot down the right field line and motored around to third with her first career extra base hit and RBI.

UNA responded with three runs in the bottom half of the second off starter Raven Loveless. The junior hurler was tagged with loss and moved to 0-2 on the young season.Loveless made way for Lauren Powell who surrendered four runs, three earned, on four hits and two walks in three innings of work. Powell struck out five on the day, while Loveless fanned three.

The Lions picked up their final three runs of the day, one credited to Powell, off Gray who entered in the bottom of the sixth.

NORTH ALABAMA

• Rayne Gray picked up the first hit of the day for either team with a one out double to left field in the top of the second.
• Two batters later Peyton Fointno ripped a two-out triple down the right field line allowing Gray to trot home for the early 1-0 lead.
• UNA respond in the bottom of the second with three runs on four hits and a walk off Raven Loveless.
• Loveless struck out the side in the second despite the Tigers falling behind 3-1.
• Lauren Powell entered in the third inning to pitch and allowed a run in the fourth and an unearned run in the fifth.
• Powell exited the game after giving up back-to-back hits to open the sixth in favor of freshman Rayne Gray.
• Gray gave up hits to each of the two batters she faced, including the game ending home run.
• The Tigers were held to two hits and two walks over the final four innings.
• Ivory Jones was stranded at second base in the fourth inning after leading off the frame with a line drive single to right.
• Jones also reached on a walk in the sixth, but was erased after being caught stealing.
• Anayah Baker picked up an infield single in the fifth and proceeded to steal second base.
• Renae Spears earned a walk in the sixth.

UP NEXT:
The Tigers will travel to Vicksburg, Miss. to compete in the River City Classic. TSU will face Alcorn State, Jackson State and Grambling during the three-day event beginning on Friday, Feb.26.

NOTES:

• The Tigers wore their white jerseys with blue pants and white socks.
• Lauren Powell became just the fourth pitcher in TSU history to appear in 100 games in the circle.
• Peyton Fointno collected her first collegiate hit, triple and RBI.
• Ivory Jones registered a hit in each of the first three games.
• Anayah Baker and Rayne Gray have notched hits in back-to-back games.
• Jones, Fointno and Renae Spears have started the season by reaching base in all three games.