NASHVILLE---- The Tennessee State Tiger softball team earned a split for the second straight day to finish the weekend 2-2 in the Roar City Classic. After falling to the Bradley Braves 8-5, the Tigers got a big game from freshman Holly Ayala in the circle and from the plate to five run rule the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 11-1. This season, TSU (6-2) is now 6-0 against HBCU foes.
TSU 5 Bradley 8
An outstanding offensive output was not enough for Tennessee State on Sunday. The Tigers tallied five runs but could not hold the Bradley Braves at bay and were defeated 8-5. Freshman Holly Ayala (3-1) took the loss relief of Caitlin Manus for Tennessee State. Nahtali Simpson led the way offensively for the Tigers, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a home run and two RBI. Laila Armstrong also put together a standout day at the dish, going 2-for-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Tennessee State picked up a pair of unearned runs when Kailyn Jean-Baptiste reached on an error scoring Simpson and Marisa Mauroschadt.
The Braves then rallied to score five runs and take a 5-2 lead in the third inning before the Tigers cut the lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer by Simpson. Tennessee State kept the Braves off the board before rallying to tie it up at five in the fourth when Anayah Baker-Rowell scored on a passed ball. Bradley scored three times over the remaining three innings to break the tie and grab the 8-5 win.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State's highest-scoring inning was the third when it pushed two runs across.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 39 Bradley hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out two.
» Simpson led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Bradley was led offensively by Katie Pederson, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.
» Camryn Schaller led the Braves pitching staff, throwing three shutout innings.
TSU 11 Alabama A&M 1 (five innings)
Tennessee State received contributions from every part of its lineup. All nine starters reached base safely, helping the Tigers put 11 runs on the board and defeat the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 11-1 Sunday. Holly Ayala (3-1) started in the circle and picked up the complete game win for Tennessee State (6-2). The right-hander went five innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing one walk, and striking out four.
In the batter's box, the Tigers were led by Anayah Baker-Rowell, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a triple, and three RBI. Peyton Fointno put together a standout performance, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI. Marisa Mauroschadt also helped out for Tennessee State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a triple, a walk, and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Tennessee State plated two runs off of Alabama A&M pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double by Ayala. In the third inning, Tennessee State got run-scoring doubles from Nahtali Simpson and Shelby Shepherd to stretch the lead to 4-1; Alabama A&M narrowed Tennessee State's lead to 4-1, pushing across a run in the top of the fourth inning. The Tiger bats got hot in the bottom of the inning as they scored four runs. Peyton Fointno singled to drive in Laila Armstrong and Anayah Baker-Rowell, Marisa Mauroschadt's triple knocked in Fointno, and she also scored on an error on the same play.
Baker-Rowell finished the game with a walk-off triple with the bases loaded, scoring Mikayla Duke, Ayala, and Shelby Shepherd.
GAME NOTES
» The Tigers' power output was led by Baker-Rowell, who picked up two extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Every Tennessee State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Tennessee State's highest-scoring inning was the fourth when it pushed four runs across.
» The Tigers took control of the rest of the game after moving ahead of the Bulldogs 2-0 in the bottom of the second.
» Four Tigers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The TSU out-hit the A&M at a 12-5 clip.
» Tennessee State went 7-for-10 (.700) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 19 Alabama A&M hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and zero fly balls while striking out four.
» The Tigers drew four walks from Alabama A&M pitching.
» Baker-Rowell led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and three RBI.
» Alabama A&M was led offensively by Serena Herbranson, who went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
TSU will travel to take on Chattanooga Wednesday at 5 p.m.
