SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Tennessee State University Tigers softball team (9-10) will take their final test before the Ohio Valley Conference season starts when they take on the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals on Tuesday in San Antonio, Texas. The Tigers will be looking to even their record before they travel to take on Lindenwood University in a three-game series that starts this Saturday.
 
"We learned a lot about ourselves during this pre-conference season," said Tiger head coach Genee McRath. "They know they belong on the field with some of the best teams. "I like where we are, but there is room to improve. We have one more game to get there. This will be tough, so I hope we are ready."
 
TSU went 1-4 in the highly competitive Longhorn Invitational. Two teams (McNeese State and Princeton) won their conference tournaments last season. The host Texas was the NCAA runner-up in 2022. The Tigers went 1-1 against the Ivy League champion Princeton Tigers. Both games went into extra innings, with TSU winning on Friday 8-5 but falling on Sunday 6-5.
 
At the plate, junior Anayah Baker-Rowell had a huge day on Friday, going a combined 5-for-6 from the plate with seven RBI against Princeton and Texas. She raised her batting average by 17 points by the end of the weekend. Sophomore Laila Armstrong continued her solid start to the season. She is now batting .338 leading the Tigers from the plate.
 
The Matchup: Tennessee State Tigers (9-10) vs. Incarnate Word (8-8)
Date/Time: Tuesday, March 7|| 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Location: H.E.B. Field | San Antonio, Texas
Watch Live: Southland Conference | Videos | Watch ESPN
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/incarnateword/softball/
 
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• Anayah Baker-Rowell has been solid in the nine-hole all season. She raised her average by 17 points and is now batting .333.  Her six RBI against Princeton on Friday was a key to the Tiger victory. Baker-Rowell is also six for six in stolen bases.
• Laila Armstrong has been great at the leadoff spot. She leads the team in batting average and has scored nine runs this season.
• Freshman Holly Ayala will be playing in her hometown for the first time in college. Ayala has been tough in the circle and at the plate, completing four of her nine starts, and is batting.265.

 
SCOUTING INCARNATE WORD

• Led by senior Kendall McGary's .373 batting average, UIW has four players hitting above .300. McGary also leads the team in RBI with 10. The team is batting an impressive .285.
• Lead-off hitter Giselle Villareal leads the team with 20 base hits. The contact hitter has only two strikeouts in 55 official at-bats.
• Senior Anne Gunther is 4-1 and leading the team in ERA at 2.00. Senior Maddie Myers and junior Maddy Blake have not given up an earned run in a combined 10.0 innings pitched.

The Tigers will conclude their 15-game road trip when they travel to St. Charles, Missouri, to take on Lindenwood in a weekend series to open up Ohio Valley Conference play.