CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Tennessee State softball team picked up its 15^th win of the season and sixth Ohio Valley Conference win after earning a split with Southeast Missouri on Saturday afternoon. TSU won 4-3 in a tight game one, followed by falling in the second game of the doubleheader 11-2. The Tigers moved to 15-13, 6-2 OVC.

TSU 4, SEMO 3

Tennessee State limited the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks to three runs on Saturday, and the Tigers lineup did the rest, pushing just enough runners across to pick up the 4-3 victory.

Junior Caitlyn Manus (8-5) got the win for Tennessee State. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on 10 hits, allowing two walks and striking out three.

In the batter's box, the Tigers were paced by senior Anayah Baker-Rowell, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a walk and two RBI. Senior Rylie Giddens put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Freshman Mariyah Brown also chipped in for Tennessee State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Tigers were trailing 2-0 in the fifth inning when they first put runs on the board. Tennessee State's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Baker-Rowell. Southeast Missouri State put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Tigers still held on for the 4-3 win.

GAME NOTES

» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed four runs across.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 33 Southeast Missouri State hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out three.
» The Tigers drew five walks from Southeast Missouri State pitching.
» Baker-Rowell led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.

SEMO 11, TSU 2 | 8 Innings

The Tennessee State Tigers struggled in game two, falling to the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 11-2 despite the efforts of junior Ryla Traylor, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Sophomore Holly Ayala (3-5) got the ball to start for the Tigers and took the loss.

Offensively, the Tigers were paced by Traylor, who went 1-for-2 on the day with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Tigers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Tennessee State got an RBI single from Traylor, scoring senior Peyton Fointno from second base.

TSU lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the second trailing 4-1. Freshman Alexis Woods came across to score the lone run of the inning for Tennessee State, which tightened the Redhawks lead to 4-2. The Tigers were unable to get any closer, as Southeast Missouri State added seven runs to their tally on the way to an 11-2 final.

GAME NOTES

» Tennessee State's highest-scoring inning was the second, when it pushed one run across.
» Tennessee State went 2-for-4 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 31 Southeast Missouri State hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out one.
» Traylor led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.

NEXT UP

The Tigers will be back in action for the series finale at noon.