EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Sophomore pitcher Caitlyn Manus gave up a first-inning run and then threw a shutout the rest of the way as the Tennessee State Tigers broke a five-game losing streak by defeating the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars (13=20, 0-8 OVC) 2-1. Manus (11-11) started in the circle and picked up the win for TSU (15-18-1, 6-6). The right-hander from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, went seven innings, giving up one run on seven hits, allowing one walk, and striking out six.
Freshman Onnika Spencer, who also hails from Murfreesboro, led offensively for the Tigers, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with the game-winning home run and an RBI. Junior Anayah Baker-Baker also had a good day at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Both RBIs came after two outs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 1-0 in the fifth inning, TSU was able to push across a run when they first put runs on the board when junior Laila Armstrong hit a two-out single, and Baker-Rowell just missed hitting a homer when she doubled off the left field wall. Spencer hit a solo homer run in the following inning to give the Tigers the lead. SIUE got two hits in the seventh inning, but the game ended when first baseman Peyton Fointno gunned down Sherri Mason at third base when she tried to advance on Micah Arps' bunt single.
The victory was the first for the Tigers in Edwardsville since April 26, 2019, and it also broke a four-game losing streak to SIUE.
GAME NOTES
» Manus struck out six Cougars hitters.
» Baker-Rowell stole two bases, making her 9-for-9 on the season.
» Manus faced 25 SIU-Edwardsville hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and five fly balls while striking out six.
» Spencer led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Baker-Rowell also went 1-for-3.
» SIU-Edwardsville was led offensively by freshman Emma Neuman, who went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Ray led the Cougars' pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.
Both teams will be back in action on Saturday, playing a doubleheader.