NASHVILLE, Tenn.— After taking a tough 2-1 home loss to UAB, the Tennessee State University Tigers softball team (12-11-1, 3-0 OVC) will jump back into play when they take on SEMO (10-7, 3-0 OVC) in a three-game series. Both teams come in undefeated in OVC play.
 
This past weekend, TSU traveled to Lindenwood and came home with their first three-game sweep since April 2007. The opening weekend sweep gives the Tigers their first 3-0 conference start in the program's history. SEMO swept SIUE in a home series.
 
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 yet to have a common opponent this season. The Tigers have lost the last 14 games between the two schools. SEMO leads the all-time series 41-9.
 
The Matchup: SEMO (10-7, 3-0 OVC) at Tennessee State Tigers (12-11-1, 3-0 OVC)
Date/Time: Saturday, March 18|| 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. (CST)
Date/Time: Saturday, March 19|| 1 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.
• Freshman Onnika Spencer has hit safely in the last six games. She has raised her average by 46 points during the streak. She now leads the team with a .328 batting average and is tied with Mauroschadt with 17 RBI.
• Pitcher Caitlyn Manus (9-8, 2-0 OVC), a sophomore from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, took a hard-luck loss On Wednesday. She gave up an unearned run in four innings of relief in the 2-1 loss to UAB.   
• Sophomore Ryla Traylor hit safely in all three games at Lindenwood and knocked in five runs.

 
SCOUTING SEMO

• SEMO was voted to finish second in the OVC Preseason Poll.
• LHP Marisa Davis is the Ohio Valley Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week. She went 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA in three appearances, allowing one earned run in nine innings.
• Paige Halliwill leads the team in batting average (.340), slugging percentage (.560), on-base percentage (.468), runs scored (nine), and total bases (28). She is tied for the lead in RBI (seven), triples (one), and home runs (one).
   

The Tigers will travel to UT Martin (March 25-26) for a Saturday doubleheader and a single game on Sunday.