GAME 38: Jacksonville State 2, Tennessee State 0
RECORDS: TSU (8-30, 4-24), Jacksonville State (22-21, 20-11)
FIELD: Tiger Field
LOCATION: Nashville, Tenn.
WEATHER: Partly Sunny, 68
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NASHVILLEÂ ---
Kennedy McCurry used the first career start in the circle to toss a gem. The second year sophomore held Jacksonville State to two runs on five hits, but was tagged with the loss as the Gamecocks completed the sweep of the Tigers, 2-0.
McCurry was touched for doubles in the first and third innings by Shelby Nelson and gave up a solo home run to Sidney Wagnon in the second. After the second hit to Nelson, McCurry went on to retire the next 10 batters, including a strikeout in the fourth and another in the fifth.
TSU was not able to scratch a run for the second time in the series, as they left two runners on base in the first and sixth innings.
Analeigh Coursey led off the bottom of the first with a single off the pitcher and moved to third as
Bri Vire reached on an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt. The Big Blue was not able to take advantage of the two runners on with no outs as the next three batters went down in order.
In the sixth with two outs,
Anayah Baker-Rowell singled up the middle and moved into scoring position as
Renae Spears flare to short fell in for the Tigers third hit of the game. Once again, the TSU runners were left on base as the inning came to a close.
JSU added a run in the seventh to extend the lead to 2-0 with a pair of hits and stolen bases.
The Tigers fell short of a comeback as they could only manage a two-out pinch hit walk to
Kayli Mothershed in the final frame.
McCurry fell to 0-1 on the five hit, two run performance. The hurler struck out three without issuing a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In her first career start, Kennedy McCurry gave up a one out double down the left field line Shelby Nelson.
- The second year sophomore ended the early threat with back-to-back fly outs to centerfield.
- In the bottom of the first, Analeigh Coursey led off with a hard line drive off the pitchers glove for the Tigers first hit of the game.
- Coursey moved to third as Bri Vire reached on an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt.
- TSU stranded both runners as the next three batters went down in order.
- The Tigers would not collect a hit until back-to-back knocks with two outs in the sixth.
- JSU was able to get to McCurry with a two out solo home run in the bottom of the second for the 1-0 lead.
- After surrendering another double to Nelson in the third, McCurry retired 10 straight Gamecocks leading to the seventh.
- With two outs in the sixth, the Tigers threatened to even the score with consecutive infield singles by Anayah Baker and Renae Spears.
- The inning ended as JSU was able to sit down Peyton Fointno.
- In the seventh, the Gamecocks used a lead off double and a stolen base to manufacture an insurance run.
- The Tigers would bring the tying run to the plate in their last at bat as Kayli Mothershed reached on a pinch hit walk.
- The game came to end a batter later, giving McCurry (0-1) the loss.
UP NEXT:
The Tigers will travel across town to face Lipscomb on Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The contest at Draper Diamond is the last non-conference outing for TSU this season.
NOTES:
- The Tigers wore their blue uniforms with white socks.
- The game was delayed an hour due to overnight rains; game originally slated for 12:00 p.m.
- The Tigers were shutout for 13th time this season, 10th in the last 15Â games.
- Kennedy McCurry got the start in the circle for the first time in her career.
- Lyndsey Dugan earned her first career start behind the plate.
- Raven Loveless was used as a pinch runner for the first time in her three year career.
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