NASHVILLE --The Tennessee State Tigers got a boost from Peyton Fointno, who collected three hits, but it was not enough as the Tigers fell 5-4  to the Eastern Illinois Panthers Sunday. In addition to her three hits, Fointno had a double and three RBI to lead the Tigers. Holly Ayala (4-7) got the ball to start for TSU(14-18-1, 5-6 OVC) and took the loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 2-0, the Tigers cut the lead in half in the first inning on an RBI single from Fointno, scoring Anayah Baker-Rowell from second base. The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the third when  Laila Armstrong led off the inning with a walk and scored on a hit by Fointno and two errors by the Panthers. EIU scored three runs in the top of the fifth to make the score 5-2. The score stayed the same until the bottom of the seventh when it was Fointno again coming up big. This time it was a two-run, two-out double that scored Baker-Rowell and Armstrong. Ryla Traylor represented the winning run but grounded out to second to end the game. 

GAME NOTES

» Fointno led the Tigers, picking up three base hits in the ballgame.
» The Tiger's highest-scoring inning was the seventh when it pushed two runs across.
» TSU went 3-for-10 (.300) with runners in scoring position.
» Ayala faced 34 Eastern Illinois hitters in the game, allowing ten ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» The Tigers drew four walks from Eastern Illinois pitching.
» Fointno led the Tigers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
» Eastern Illinois was led offensively by K.endall Grover, who went 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.
» Alexa  Rehmeier led the Panthers pitching staff, throwing seven innings of four-run ball.

The Tigers will be back in action when they take on SIUE in a three-game series starting on April 7.