VICKSBURG, Miss. -  The Tennessee State University Tiger softball team finished off the weekend as they started it, winning two games on Sunday in the River City Classic. Freshman Holly Ayala (1-0) earned her first career win in a complete game 1-0 victory over Grambling State. Caitlyn Manus (3-0) gave up two runs in five innings, and the Tiger bats came alive in their 12-2 five-inning victory over Alcorn State. This marks TSU's first 4-0 start since 2008. 

TSU 1, GSU 0

Freshman Holly Ayala was dealing on Sunday, throwing a three-hit shutout to lead the Tennessee State Lady Tigers past the Grambling Lady Tigers 1-0.

Ayala (0-0) went the distance for Tennessee State (3-0), giving up three hits, walking none and striking out four.

Freshman Jasmine Blackburn led the way offensively for the Lady Tigers, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Tigers took the lead for good in the fourth, scoring for the first and only time in the inning. Tennessee State got an RBI single from Blackburn, scoring freshman Marisa Mauroschadt from second base.

GAME NOTES

» Ayala tossed a three-hit shutout for the Lady Tigers.
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed one run across.
» The Lady Tigers out-hit the Grambling Lady Tigers at a 5-3 clip.
» Tennessee State pitchers limited Grambling to just 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 23 Grambling hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and two fly balls while striking out four.
» Blackburn led the Lady Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Grambling was led offensively by freshman Cadashia Collins, who went 1-for-3 with a double.
» Freshman Payton Shells led the Grambling Lady Tigers pitching staff, throwing seven innings of one-run ball.

TSU 12, AU 2

Freshman Onnika Spencer collected four RBIs to help power the Tennessee State Lady Tigers over the Alcorn State Lady Braves 12-2 on Sunday.

Freshman Caitlyn Manus (2-0) started in the circle and picked up the win for Tennessee State (4-0). The right-hander went five innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on four hits, allowing no walks and striking out three.

Spencer went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run in addition to her four RBIs for the Lady Tigers. Freshman Mikayla Duke compiled a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a triple. Freshman Laila Armstrong also helped out for Tennessee State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Tigers got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Armstrong came across to score the lone run of the inning for Tennessee State and get them on the board.

The Lady Tigers then held the Lady Braves scoreless before expanding their lead in the third inning. Tennessee State pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Spencer that scored Armstrong and freshman Peyton Fointno, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Lady Tigers.

Alcorn State narrowed Tennessee State's lead to 3-1 before the Lady Tigers stretched the advantage to 8-1 in the fourth inning. The Lady Tigers bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Spencer.

The Lady Braves fought back, closing the gap to 8-2 until Tennessee State added some insurance in the fifth. A grand slam from Spencer off freshman A'Mya Stevens cashed in four runs in the frame for the Lady Tigers, bringing the Tennessee State advantage to 12-2. The score remained 12-2 for the rest of the game, as the Lady Tigers coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES

» Spencer had three hits in the game for Tennessee State.
» The Lady Tigers power output was led by Spencer, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Spencer drove in four runs for Tennessee State.
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed five runs across.
» Tennessee State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Lady Tigers out-hit the Lady Braves at a 10-4 clip.
» Tennessee State went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers limited Alcorn State to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 20 Alcorn State hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» Spencer led the Lady Tigers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI.
» Alcorn State was led offensively by freshman Kennedy Terry, who went 1-for-3 with a triple.

Up Next - The Tigers will be back in action this weekend as they are set to host the Roar City Classic. TSU will open the classic with two games on Friday at noon vs. Alabama A&M, followed by a 4:00 p.m. matchup with Bradley.