NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State softball took down UT Martin in dramatic fashion in game two of Friday's doubleheader as
Anayah Baker-Rowell hit a walk-off single that pushed two runs across to help TSU earn a split on the day. The Tigers dropped game one 7-0 while picking up the 9-8 win in game two to move to 16-15, 6-4.
UTM 7, TSU 0
Two UTM pitchers combined throw a shutout in game one on Friday as the Martin Skyhawks blanked TSU 7-0 in the opener.
Reina Castillo (4-4) started and took the loss in the circle for the Tigers.
Holly Ayala was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going seven innings, surrendering three runs, one earned, on six hits, walking one and striking out three.
Offensively, the Tigers were paced by
Laila Armstrong, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Tennessee State managed zero chances with runners on third in the shutout, going a total of 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The Tigers last got a runner on third in the fifth, when
Onnika Spencer made it 60 feet away from scoring with one out.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 37 UT Martin hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out three.
» Armstrong led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-2.
» UT Martin was led offensively by M. Long, who went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
» Linneman led the
Skyhawks pitching staff, throwing five scoreless innings.
TSU 9, UTM 8
TSU
earned a win in walk-off fashion, responding to score three in the bottom of the seventh after UT Martin took the lead in the top half, sealing the victory on a two-run single off the bat of Baker-Rowell to take down the Skyhawks 9-8 in game two.
Ayala (4-5) got the win out of the bullpen for Tennessee State (15-15, 6-4). The
right-hander went 0.1 shutout innings without giving up a hit.
At the plate, the Tigers were led by
Mikayla Duke, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double and two RBI.
Ryla Traylor compiled a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Baker-Rowell also contributed for Tennessee State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers were trailing 3-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Tennessee State scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-RBI double from
Duke.
The game remained tied until the sixth inning, when the Tigers got going again on offense. which brought the Tigers lead to 6-3.
UT Martin then rallied to take an 8-6 lead before Tennessee State scored three runs in the bottom half of the seventh to grab the win, walking it off.
GAME NOTES
» Traylor picked up three hits in the game for Tennessee State.
» Every Tennessee State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Tennessee State's highest-scoring inning was the seventh when it pushed three runs across.
» Five Tigers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Tigers had a total of 15 hits.
» The Tigers out-hit the
Skyhawks at a 15-10 clip.
» Tennessee State went 8-for-15 (.533) with runners in scoring position.
» The Tigers got two hits in four at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 35 UT Martin hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out four.
» Duke led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
NEXT UP
The Tigers will return to Tiger Field tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. to close out its series with the Skyhawks.
