SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Tennessee State softball team split games at the Wofford Invitational, defeating North Dakota in extra innings and then falling to host Wofford in the second game of the day.
Game 1: TSU vs. North Dakota
The Tigers needed eight innings to finish the job, but earned the 6-5 extra-innings victory over the North Dakota Fighting Hawks Friday.
Reina Castillo (4-3) started in the circle and picked up the win for Tennessee State (5-5). The right-hander went eight innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on nine hits, allowing two walks and striking out six.
In the batter's box, the Tigers were paced by Onnika Spencer, who went 3-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Anayah Baker-Rowell furnished a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a triple, a walk and two RBI. Jasmine Blackburn also chipped in for Tennessee State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Spencer put Tennessee State on the board with a two-out solo home run off senior Jackie Albrecht.
The Tigers lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the fifth trailing 2-1. Tennessee State managed to push across two runs in the inning, which brought the Tigers lead to 3-2.
Tennessee State held North Dakota scoreless before building their lead to 5-2 in the seventh inning. The Tigers picked up two runs in the frame, punctuated with an RBI triple off the bat of .
The Fighting Hawks then tied the game at five before Tennessee State came back to retake their advantage in the eighth inning. Hailey Hunt crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Tigers, bringing the Tennessee State advantage to 6-5. The score remained 6-5 for the rest of the game, as the Tigers held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Spencer had three base hits in the game for Tennessee State.
» Castillo struck out six Fighting Hawks hitters.
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed two runs across.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 37 North Dakota hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out six.
» The Tigers drew four walks from North Dakota pitching.
» Spencer led the Tigers at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» North Dakota was led offensively by junior Camryn Lasota, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Albrecht led the Fighting Hawks pitching staff, throwing eight innings of six-run ball.
Game 2: TSU vs. North Dakota
The Tigers struggled in the first day finale, falling to Wofford, 16-2, despite the efforts of Anayah Baker-Rowell, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Kristian Holder (0-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Tennessee State (4-6).
Offensively, the Tigers were led by Baker-Rowell, 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 Baker-Rowell, scoring Jace Jackson from second base.
The Tigers lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the third trailing 6-1. Jackson came across to score the lone run of the inning for Tennessee State, which tightened the Terriers lead to 6-2. The Tigers were unable to get any closer, as Wofford added 10 runs to their tally on the way to a 16-2 final.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed one run across.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 30 Wofford hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and three fly balls while striking out one.
» Baker-Rowell led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.
» Wofford was led offensively by senior Havalynn Abernathy, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI.
» Sophomore Abby Greenwood led the Terriers pitching staff, throwing five innings of two-run ball.
