OXFORD, Alabama — For the first time since 2001, the Tennessee State University Tigers softball team (21-24-1, 12-11 OVC) will play some extra softball. The sixth-seeded Tigers are primed and ready to take on Lindenwood Lions (16-31, 8-15) in single-elimination action OVC Tournament action.
 
The two teams met for the first OVC weekend of the season, with TSU winning all three games. In game one, starting pitchers Caitlyn Manus of TSU and Lindenwood's Amanda Weyh were cruising along, not giving up any runs until Tiger third baseman Anayah Baker-Rowell led off the fifth inning and took the first pitch over the center field wall. The Tigers scored five runs in the inning, then two in the sixth, and seven in the seventh to win the game 14-1.
 
Manus got the victory on six hits and not walking a batter. Game two was a 7-1 win as Holly Ayala scattered five hits in the complete game victory. Senior Marisa Mauroschadt was the star of the game at the plate driving in four runs. The third game was a nail-biter that looked gloomy for the Tigers. Manus and Weyh once again were in a pitching duel, with Weyh having a 2-1 advantage in the top of the seventh. Mauroschadt, once again, was a hero. She hit a two-out bases-loaded double to make the score 4-2. Manus shut the door in the bottom of the inning to get the win, 
 
The winner of the game will take on the third-seeded USI Soaring Eagles. The Lions and the Soaring Eagles are in their first seasons in the OVC. The statistic to watch is that both teams are hitting .255 in OVC play.
 
 
The Matchup: Lindenwood Lions (16-31, 8-15 OVC) vs. Tennessee State Tigers (18-24-1, 9-11 OVC)  
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 10 | 10 a.m. (CST)
Watch Live: ESPN +
Live Stats: https://statb.us/b/465549
Location: | Oxford, Alabama
 
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• Grad student Nahtali Simpson (2/28/2000) and senior Shelby Shepard (6/12/2000) are the only two Tiger players born the last time TSU was in the postseason. Seniors Jordan Turner (5/10/2001) and Marisa Mauroschadt (6/20/2001), along with junior Peyton Fointno (11/23/01), were born in the same year.
• The Tigers are one win away from eclipsing the 2006 team for second place in team history.
• Junior Peyton Fointno won the OVC and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week. She has five singles in her last five at-bats. Fointno has 10 RBI in her previous four games and is on a four-game hitting streak. Since moving down to the seventh hole in the batting order, she has raised her average by 38 points.
• Junior Ryla Traylor has hit safely in nine of the last ten games. She is now the only Tiger hitting above .300. She has reached base safely in 20 of her 23 OVC games.
• Junior Anayah Baker-Rowell is a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen bases this season.
• Freshman catcher Onnika Spencer leads the team in home runs (nine), RBI (31), and slugging percentage (.595).
• Laila Armstrong has reached base safely in 15 of the last 17 games.
• The Tigers have turned 23 double plays this season while only committing seven.

 
 
SCOUTING LINDENWOOD:

• The Lions won six of their eight conference wins at home.
• Lindenwood swept second-seeded Eastern Illinois.
• They are a streaky team on both sides. They have a seven-game winning streak and an eleven-game losing streak.
• Irelynn West is batting .404 in conference play, making her the league's fifth toughest hitter. She has hit safely in her last four at-bats. Eight of West's 21 hits in OVC play are doubles.
• Dallis Darnell is hitting .304 against OVC opponents. She has reached base safely in her last nine games.
• Amanda Weyh (3-5 OVC) and Avery Wapp (4-3 OVC) are the top two choices in the circle for Lindenwood.