NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State softball team picked up a pair of wins on Friday afternoon at the Tiger Invitational over Mercer (8-6) and Quinnipiac (3-1).
Game 1 vs. Mercer
The Tennessee State Tigers fought back from down 6-3 in the fifth inning to knock off Mercer.
Reina Castillo (2-3) got the win out of the bullpen for Tennessee State (3-5). The right-hander went 3.1 shutout innings, giving up one hit, no walks and striking out two.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers were trailing 1-0 in the first inning when they first put runs on the board. Tennessee State got an RBI single from Anayah Baker-Rowell, scoring Jace Jackson from second base.
The Bears then scored five runs to retake their advantage heading into the fifth inning, when the Tigers responded by getting back on the scoreboard themselves. Tennessee State brought home a pair, with one run driven in by Baker-Rowell's single, which brought the score to 6-3 in favor of the Bears.
Tennessee State held the Bears off the scoreboard before rallying to grab an 8-6 lead in the sixth. The Tigers bats heated up in the inning, scoring five runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Onnika Spencer. The score remained 8-6 for the rest of the game, as Tennessee State held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Baker-Row collected four hits on the day for Tennessee State.
» The Tigers power output was led by Baker-Rowell, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed five runs across.
» The Tigers out-hit the Bears at a 9-7 clip.
» Tennessee State went 6-for-13 (.462) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 33 Mercer hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out four.
» Baker-Rowell led the Tigers at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.
» Mercer was led offensively by Sietske Drijvers, who went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Hannah Pitts led the Bears pitching staff, throwing six innings of eight-run ball.
Game 2 vs. Quinnipiac
The Tennessee State Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 3-1 victory.
Castillo (3-3) got the win for Tennessee State (4-4). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing three walks and striking out five.
At the plate, the Tigers were led by Kailyn Jean-Baptiste, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Spencer compiled a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Tennessee State got an RBI single from Spencer, scoring Mikayla Duke from third base.
The Tigers then held the Bobcats scoreless before expanding their lead in the fourth inning. Tennessee State scored twice on Jean-Baptiste's two-run homer, which brought the Tigers lead to 3-0. Quinnipiac put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Tennessee State still held on for the 3-1 win.
GAME NOTES
» Castillo struck out five Bobcats hitters.
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Tennessee State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Tennessee State pitchers limited Quinnipiac to just 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 28 Quinnipiac hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out five.
» Jean-Baptiste led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Quinnipiac was led offensively by S. Vega, who went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
» Sydney Horan led the Bobcats pitching staff, throwing six innings of three-run ball.
