MARTIN, Tenn. --Sophomore Caitlyn Manus (10-9, 3-1 OVC) had everything working on Saturday, striking out 10 UT Martin Skyhawk hitters over 7.2 innings of work, but it was not enough as the Tennessee State Tigers' (13-13-1, 4-2).eight-inning loss to the Skyhawks 6-3.
In the batter's box, the Tigers were led by graduate student Nahtali Simpson and freshman Onnika Spencer who both went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk, and an RBI. Sophomore Ryla Traylor also chipped in for Tennessee State, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers got on the board first when Simpson put Tennessee State on the board with a two-out solo home run to left center off junior Brooklynn Linneman. The Skyhawks tied the score in the bottom of the inning. Spencer's leadoff home run off of Linneman, in the second inning, gave TSU the lead back.
The game stayed tied until the top of the sixth inning when Traylor hit an RBI single to score Peyton Fointno. After Manus retired the Skyhawks on three straight batters in the sixth, it looked like the Tigers would break a 17-game losing streak to the Skyhawks. UT-Martin rallied in the seventh inning to tie the score when the OVC's leading hitter Kaci Fuller re-entered the game after she was injured in the first inning with a single scoring runners on second and third. Maddi Long's walk-off three-run home run finished the scoring.
GAME NOTES
» Manus fanned ten Skyhawks hitters.
» Tennessee State's highest-scoring inning was the sixth when it pushed one run across.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 36 UT Martin hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and ten fly balls while striking out 10.
» Simpson led the Lady Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» UT Martin was led offensively by junior Maddi Long, who went 2-for-2 with a double, a home run, and three RBI.
» Linneman led the Skyhawks pitching staff, throwing 5.2 innings of three-run ball.
The Tigers and UT-Martin will be back in action on Sunday for a doubleheader. First pitch will be 1:00 p.m. (CST).