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Tennessee State University

Castillo vs. UTM
Aaron Quinn
11
Winner Tennessee State TSU 1-0
5
North Texas UNT 1-1
Winner
Tennessee State TSU
1-0
11
Final
5
North Texas UNT
1-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Tennessee State TSU 0 2 1 0 0 0 8 11 7 1
North Texas UNT 0 3 0 1 0 1 0 5 7 2

W: Castillo, Reina (1-0) L: Anderson,Anneca (1-1)

Game Recap: Softball |

Late Runs Catapult Softball In Season Opening Win Over North Texas

TROY, Ala. --The Tennessee State softball team rallied from down 5-3 in the sixth inning to win in thrilling fashion, tallying eight runs in the seventh to secure an 11-5 victory over the North Texas on Friday in the 2025 season opener at the Troy Invitational.

Freshman Reina Castillo (1-0) started in the circle and picked up the win for Tennessee State (1-0). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on seven hits, allowing three walks and striking out three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Tigers put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Freshman Kyra Taylor drove in two runs for Tennessee State with a single, that scored freshman Kailyn Jean-Baptiste and freshman Alexis Woods.

The Tigers lost the lead they built in the second, but got back on the board in the third trailing 3-2. Freshman Mikayla Duke came across to score the lone run of the inning for Tennessee State, which brought the score level at 3-3.

North Texas busted up the tie and grabbed a 5-3 lead heading into the seventh, when Tennessee State grabbed the advantage at 11-5. The Tigers bats heated up in the inning, scoring eight runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Taylor and a two-run single from freshman Anayah Baker-Rowell. The score remained 11-5 for the rest of the game, as Tennessee State coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES
» First program win over a power conference since 2020. Previous win was over Tulsa on Feb. 15, 2020. 
» Taylor drove in four runs 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 eight runs across.
» Both Duke and Taylor stole two bases in Friday's game.
» The Tigers swiped five bases as a team.
» Tennessee State went 6-for-11 (.545) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 30 North Texas hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and 15 fly balls while striking out three.
» The Tigers drew nine walks from North Texas pitching.
» Taylor led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with four RBI.
» North Texas was led offensively by senior Kailyn Bearpaw, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Sophomore Kayleigh Smith led the Eagles pitching staff, throwing one scoreless inning.

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