NASHVILLE, Tenn.— For the first time since February 19, the Tennessee State University Tigers softball team (12-10-1) will be back in the friendly confines of Tiger Field when they take on the UAB Blazers (11-13, 1-2 C-USA) on Wednesday. This past weekend, TSU traveled to Lindenwood and came home with their first OVC three-game sweep since April 2007. The opening weekend sweep gives the Tigers their first 3-0 conference start in the program's history.
 
TSU's schedule has been challenging, with them only playing four home games, taking on the ninth-ranked Texas Longhorns, the 24th-ranked Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, and going on the road for three tournaments. They also played Chattanooga and the University of Incarnate Word in single games on the road. 
 
The two teams have McNeese State and Lindenwood as common opponents. McNeese State defeated TSU twice and UAB once. TSU is 3-0 against Lindenwood, and UAB is 1-0.
 
The Matchup: UAB (11-13, 1-2 C-USA) at Tennessee State Tigers (12-10-1, 3-0 OVC)
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 15|| 4 p.m. (CST)
Location: Tiger Field | Nashville, Tenn.
Watch Live: https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/39f1e01f-e099-4dbb-9642-ff91a977f0f7?om-navmethod=espn%3Aglobalsearch%3Aresults
Live Stats: https://tsutigers.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
 
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• Senior CF Marisa Mauroschadt had a huge weekend. On Sunday's game one 7-1 win, she hit a first-inning three-run home run and added another RBI. She followed that up with a clutch seventh-inning two-out bases-loaded double that cleared the bases giving TSU a 4-2 lead.
• Pitchers sophomore Caitlyn Manus and freshman Holly Ayala have combined for five earned runs in the past four games (3-0-1). Manus has only given up one walk in her last 16 innings.
• Sophomore Ryla Traylor has at least one hit in five of the last six games raising her batting average to a team-leading .338.
• The Tigers are on a four-game unbeaten streak.

 
SCOUTING UAB:

• Olivia Valbak pitched a perfect game against Butler on February 26 and was named the C-USA Pitcher of the Week. She also leads UAB in hits with 23.
• Sierra Frazier leads UAB with six home runs. She now sits at 32 career home runs and is tied at the No. 2 All-Time spot in homers in Blazer history. She leads the team in batting average (.328) and slugging percentage (.689).
• Freshman Caitlin Russell has started her collegiate career with a 3-0 record.
• This is the first game between the programs. TSU will travel to UAB on March 29. 

 The Tigers will host their first OVC series this weekend with a Saturday doubleheader and a Sunday single game against SEMO.