NASHVILLE— The Tennessee State University Tigers softball team (14-15-1, 5-3 OVC) will return home this weekend when they take on the leaders in the OVC, the Eastern Illinois University Panthers (16-13, 5-0 OVC).
 
The Tigers have enjoyed four different four-game unbeaten streaks this season. They started the season sweeping the four-game River City Classic. After tying the University of Incarnate Word on the road, they traveled to Lindenwood and swept them in a three-game series. In the next game, TSU defeated the SEMO Redhawks to start the OVC at 4-0. The victory broke a 14-game losing streak to SEMO, and it was the first home win over the Redhawks since April 3, 2005. 
 
After conquering the SEMO streak, the Tigers traveled to UT-Martin and broke an 18-game losing streak this past Sunday. Freshman Holly Ayala threw a four-hit complete game shutout to break the streak. It also was the first time that TSU defeated them in Martin.
 
The Tigers traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, this past Wednesday and fell 6-4. TSU gave up six unearned runs in the first two innings but came back to score four runs in the final two innings to make it close. Nahtali Simpson was the tying run at the plate with two outs but flew out to end the game.
 
The Matchup: Eastern Illinois University (16-13, 5-0 OVC) at  Tennessee State Tigers (14-15-1, 5-3 OVC)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 1|| 1:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. (CST)
Date/Time: Sunday, April 2|| 1:00 p.m. (CST)
Watch: ESPN Plus
Live Stats: https://tsutigers.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary
Location: Tiger Field | Nashville
 
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• Freshman Holly Ayala has been pitching well as of late, living p to her "Five Foot Giant" nickname. She shut down UT Martin in Game 1 of their Sunday doubleheader this past Sunday. The diminutive Ayala was in command all game, surrendering four hits in her complete game shutout. On Wednesday, she pitched four shutout innings against UAB to keep her team in the game.
• Freshman catcher Onnika Spencer has been solid in her first collegiate campaign. She leads the Tigers in batting average (.321), home runs (six), RBI (22), and slugging percentage (.631).
• Graduate student Nahtali Simpson continued her solid work at shortstop. Against Martin, she made three spectacular plays behind Ayala to support their Sunday victory. She is tied with Ryla Traylor and two other players with seven runs scored, leading the conference in OVC play.
• Junior Anayah Baker-Rowell is a perfect 7-of-7 in stolen bases.

 
 
SCOUTING EIU

• Junior Lindy Milkowski leads the OVC in home runs (nine) and RBI (28).
• Senior Rachel Kaufman is a threat in the circle and at the plate. In 12 innings pitched against OVC opponents, she has not given up an earned run. She is hitting .385 from the plate, which leads EIU. She also has a 22-game streak of reaching base.
• Sophomore Jaylen Prichard has 11 multi-hit games this season. Her 32 hits leads the team.
• EIU is the last undefeated team in the conference. Their 0.82 ERA in conference play leads the OVC.

 
The Tigers will hit the road to take on SIUE in a three-game series starting on April 7.