OXFORD, AL --The Tennessee State Tigers fought hard but came up short as they fell to the SEMO Redhawks 4-2 in the elimination round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Sophomore Caitlyn Manus (16-14) started and took the loss in the circle for Tennessee State (22-26-1). Two unearned runs were the difference in the game as Manus pitched well for the Tigers. The right-hander went seven innings, holding the OVC's top-hitting team to giving up four runs, two earned, on eight hits. The Tigers committed three errors in the game. 

Offensively, the Tigers were led by their best hitter, sophomore Ryla Traylor, who went 1-for-4 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Freshman Onnika Spencer also put together a standout day at the plate, going 2-for-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED

SEMO came out hitting, scoring a run on two hits in the top of the first. TSU avoided a bigger inning due to a diving catch in right-center field by junior Laila Armstrong to prevent an extra-base hit. In the bottom of the inning, Traylor put Tennessee State on the board with a one-out solo home run on a 1-0 pitch off sophomore Delaney Kell.

The Redhawks broke the tie and re-took the lead on an unearned run in the top of the fourth. OVC co-Player of the Year Aubrie Shore singled and was lifted for pinch runner Kileigh Grisham. Grisham stole second and scored after Armstrong's throw to third after a flyout was handcuffed by Anayah Baker-Rowell.  The Tigers threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the inning when Spencer got an infield single, and Jasmine Blackburn walked. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch with red-hit hitting Peyton Fointno at the plate. Fointno hit a ball well to right field but was caught for the final out of the inning. 

TSU had a chance to tie it in the fifth when Alyssia Drayton led off the bottom half of the inning with a base on balls. Armstrong bunted and was called out at first on a close play. Drayton ended up stranded at third to end the inning. SEMO added a run in the sixth when Shore doubled just off the glove of center fielder Mikayla Duke to score Grisham again to make it 3-1. The Tigers threatened again when Spencer hit a one-out single and advanced to second on a fielder's choice by Drayton, who got on base on a throwing error. Blackburn got a bunt single, but Spencer was thrown out at third when she rounded the base to kill a virtual bases-loaded with a one-out situation. SEMO got out of the inning on a deep fly out to right field by Fointno 

SEMO got an insurance run in the seventh that was unearned to make it 4-1. The Tigers didn't go down easy, starting the inning with singles by Drayton and Armstrong. Baker-Rowell hit the ball on the button but right at the left fielder for the first out. Traylor knocked in a run on a ground out to the second baseman. Nahtali Simpson lined out to left field to end the game. 

GAME NOTES

» Manus limited Southeast Missouri State to just 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
» Manus faced 30 Southeast Missouri State hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and ten fly balls.
» Traylor led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Southeast Missouri State was led offensively by Shore, who went 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, and an RBI.
» Kell led the Redhawks pitching staff, throwing 4.1 innings of one-run ball.