NASHVILLE, Tenn. --The Tennessee State Tigers struggled on Thursday, falling to the Illinois Fighting Illini 9-2 despite the efforts of Jace Jackson, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Reina Castillo (1-3) got the ball to start for Tennessee State (2-4) and took the loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 5-0, the Tigers first put runs on the board in the second inning. Kailyn Jean-Baptiste came across to score the lone run of the inning for Tennessee State and get them on the board.

The Tigers deficit expanded to 9-1 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the sixth inning. Tennessee State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Jackson, which tightened the Fighting Illini lead to 9-2. The Tigers were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed one run across.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 38 Illinois hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out four.
» Jackson led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Illinois was led offensively by sophomore Eileen Donahue, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» Wiles led the Fighting Illini pitching staff, throwing six innings of two-run ball.