NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State softball team split Friday's doubleheader with Southern Indiana taking the first game 6-5 before falling in the second game 9-2.
Game 1: TSU 6 - USI 5
The Tigers took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to victory over the Screaming Eagles in game one.
Reina Castillo (10-3) got the win for Tennessee State (12-7, 3-1 OVC). The right-hander went 6.1 innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on 12 hits, allowing one walk and striking out three.
At the plate, the Tigers were led by Onnika Spencer, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and three RBI. Mikayla Duke put together a standout performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. Hailey Hunt also contributed for Tennessee State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Tennessee State's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run home run off the bat of Spencer.
The Tigers then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the fourth inning after the Screaming Eagles cut it to 4-3. Tennessee State put up two runs in the frame, punctuated with an RBI triple off the bat of Duke, which brought the score to 6-3 in favor of the Tigers. Southern Indiana put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Tennessee State still held on for the 6-5 win.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed four runs across.
» Tennessee State grabbed a 4-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Tennessee State went 5-for-9 (.556) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 33 Southern Indiana hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out three.
» Spencer led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
» Southern Indiana was led offensively by J. Mackey, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Josie Newman led the Screaming Eagles pitching staff, throwing six innings of six-run ball.
GAME 2: TSU 2 - USI 9
Though they had plenty of opportunities, TSU had a hard time cashing them in, leaving 10 Tigers on base in a 9-2 loss in Friday's finale.
Kristian Holder (1-2) got the ball to start for Tennessee State (12-7, 3-2 OVC) and took the loss. Reina Castillo was a bright spot for the Tigers, coming out of the bullpen and throwing three shutout innings, allowing no hits, with one walk and two strikeouts.
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 scratched across a run off Kylie Witthaus when Anayah Baker-Rowell tripled in Mikayla Duke.
The Tigers lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the fifth trailing 5-1. Tennessee State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Alexis Woods, which brought the score to 5-2 in favor of the Screaming Eagles. The Tigers were unable to get any closer, as Southern Indiana added four runs to their tally on the way to a 9-2 final.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed one run across.
» Tennessee State left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 37 Southern Indiana hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out two.
» The Tigers drew six walks from Southern Indiana pitching.
» Anayah Baker-Rowell led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
» Southern Indiana was led offensively by J. Mackey, who went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI.
» Witthaus led the Screaming Eagles pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.
