NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State softball team will host the Roar City Invitational this weekend as TSU welcomes Miami (OH), IUPUI, and Bradley to Nashville, Tennessee.
 
Get to Know TSU (3-2, 0-0 OVC): The Tigers are led by Genee McRath, the seventh head coach in program history. Tennessee State kicked off the season last weekend in Vicksburg, Mississippi in the River City Classic. On day one, TSU swept a pair of games against Grambling State and Alcorn State. In the season opener against Grambling, Raven Loveless tossed a complete game shutout and allowed one hit in a 1-0 win. In game two, the Tigers rattled off seven runs in the ninth inning for an extra-inning victory over Alcorn State, 8-3. On Saturday (2/12), Tennessee State defeated Grambling, 5-0, behind Caitlyn Manus' complete game shutout. TSU opened the year with three straight victories for the first time since 2011. The Tigers fell to Jackson State in back-to-back games to close the weekend. Tennessee State is guided by seniors Loveless and Lauren Farias, as Farias leads the team six hits in 13 at-bats (.462 batting average).  

Get to Know Miami (OH) (0-0, MAC): The RedHawks reached the NCAA Tournament last season after posting an overall record of 46-10 and 36-2 in conference play. Miami (OH) had seven All-MAC performers recognized by the conference in 2021; all seven will return in 2022. The RedHawks were picked to defend their Mid-American Conference title by all 11 MAC head coaches. In 2021, the team set school records offensively with 7.6 runs per game, 88 home runs, 499 hits and a .340 team batting average. Six players eclipsed the .300 mark in batting average as Allie Cummins led the team with 17 homers, 59 RBI and a .439 BA. Courtney Vierstra, the MAC Pitcher of the Year in '21, logged a 1.77 ERA and a 26-5 record in the circle. Karli Spaid, a sophomore infielder from Chicago, was selected to the Junior U.S. Women's National Softball Team.
 
Get to Know IUPUI (0-5, 0-0 HL): The Jaguars competed in the Elon Classic in North Carolina against Elon, Appalachian State and Saint Francis (PA.). IUPUI allowed 36 runs in five games (7.2 runs allowed per game), while only scoring eight runs (1.6 runs per game). Jordan Barnes and Kendal Calvert lead the team with four hits each, while Calvert is one of three Jags with an extra base hit. Calvert, a freshman from Indiana, began her career with a four-game hit streak and leads the team in stolen bases (2-for-2). Madison Bryant is the team's workhorse in the circle as she's pitched 13 innings in three appearances (5.92 ERA), with 13 strikeouts and seven walks.
 
Get to Know Bradley (1-4, 0-0 MVC): The Braves traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to begin the season and faced off against the likes of Weber State, Kansas, Northern Colorado and Grand Canyon. Bradley fell to the Power 5 opponent, Kansas, in a high-scoring affair, 13-8. In the following game against Northern Colorado, BU tallied a five-run first inning in route to a 6-3 victory. Bradley's Lucy Mead belted a two-run home in the contest. Camryn Monteer leads the Braves with eight hits in 17 at bats (.471 BA). Jordy van der Werf logged a three-run home run against Weber State, as she leads the team with five RBI in four games played. In 10.2 innings pitched, Grace French has not walked a batter and struck out nine in two appearances.
 
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
Friday, February 18: IUPUI at Tennessee State, 2:00pm
Friday, February 18: Miami (OH) at Bradley, 4:30pm
 
Saturday, February 19: Bradley at Tennessee State, 10:30am
Saturday, February 19: IUPUI at Miami (OH), 1:00pm
Saturday, February 19: Miami (OH) at Tennessee State, 3:30pm
Saturday, February 19: Bradley at IUPUI, 6:00pm
 
Sunday, February 19: Bradley at Miami (OH), 10:30am
Sunday, February 19: Miami (OH) at IUPUI, 1:00pm
Sunday, February 19: IUPUI at Tennessee State, 3:30pm

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