NASHVILLE - The Tennessee State softball team will open its 2024 season with five games in the Cowgirl Classic hosted by McNeese State this weekend. The Tigers will play two games on Friday, two on Saturday, and one on Sunday.
 
The Tigers were picked to finish sixth in the 2024 Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll after going 22-26-1 last season. TSU went 12-11 in the OVC and made the OVC tournament for the first time since 2001, as they took down Lindenwood 3-2 in their opening game. 

The Matchup: Tarleton vs. Tennessee   
Date/Time: Friday, February 9 || 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Location: Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond | Lake Charles, La.

The Matchup: New Mexico vs. Tennessee   
Date/Time: Friday, February 9 || 1:30 p.m. (CST)
Location: Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond | Lake Charles, La.
 
The Matchup: Lamar vs. Tennessee   
Date/Time: Saturday, February 10 || 1:30 p.m. (CST)
Location: Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond | Lake Charles, La.
 
The Matchup: McNeese vs. Tennessee   
Date/Time: Saturday, February 10 || 6:30 p.m. (CST)
Location: Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond | Lake Charles, La.
 
The Matchup: Lamar vs. Tennessee   
Date/Time: Sunday, February 11 || 11:00 a.m. (CST)
Location: Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond | Lake Charles, La.
 
TSU returns 11 players from last year's team, which includes three players who received All-OVC honors in Onnika Spencer, Caitlyn Manus, and Nahtali Simpson. Spencer was named to the All-OVC Second Team and Newcomer Team after leading the team in RBI (31), home runs (9), and slugging (.574%). She played in 49 games with 48 starts. Simpson was named to the All-Newcomer team after recording 38 hits, 27 runs, 16 RBI, and two home runs after playing and starting in all 49 contests. Manus was named to the second team as a pitcher after finishing the season with a 16-14 record. She led the team in innings pitched (189.0), strikeouts (99), wins (16), complete games (19), and shutouts (3), while carrying a 3.81 ERA.
 
Anayah Baker-Rowell was selected as a 2024 OVC Preseason Player to watch. She earned a spot on the All-Tournament team for her performance at the OVC Championships last season. On the year, she produced a .266 batting average with 23 runs, nine doubles, four triples, three home runs, 23 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.
 
TSU returns three players who logged 40+ hits as Ryla Traylor (46) led the team, followed by Spencer (42), and Laila Armstrong (42).  TSU's 11 returners combined for 287 hits last season.
 
The pitching staff will include Manus, Reina Castillo, and Holly Ayala. Ayala is set for year two after going 5-12 in the circle with 146.0 innings pitched as a freshman. She picked up 46 strikeouts, while only walking 30 batters.
 
In addition to this season's 11 returners, the Tigers added five new faces, three of which come from the high school ranks, while the other two are DI transfers. Alexis Woods (INF), Kyra Taylor (OF), and Mariyah Brown (C/INF) will all be true freshmen. Reina Castillo (RHP) joins the team after two seasons at CSU Bakersfield. She made 52 appearances in the circle while tossing 199.1 innings with 53 strikeouts and will pair nicely with Manus and Ayala. Rylie Giddens (OF) comes to us from UT San Antonio where she played 28 games over three seasons while battling injuries.