COOKEVILLE, TENN. — The Tennessee State softball team opened OVC play with a doubleheader split against Tennessee Tech, winning Game 1, 3-0, before falling 6-3 in Saturday's finale.
GAME 1 | Tennessee State 3, Tennessee Tech 0
Reina Castillo was dealing on Saturday, hurling a three-hit shutout to lead the Tennessee State Tigers over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 3-0.
Castillo (8-3) went the distance for Tennessee State (9-6, 1-1), giving up three hits, walking two and striking out one.
In the batter's box, the Tigers were led by Hailey Hunt, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a walk and an RBI. Onnika Spencer furnished a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with a double and two walks. Jace Jackson also helped out for Tennessee State, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers took the lead for good in the third, scoring for the first and only time in the inning.
GAME NOTES
» Castillo tossed a three-hit shutout for the Tigers.
» Every Tennessee State starter reached base safely in the win.
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Tigers out-hit the Golden Eagles at an 11-3 clip.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 25 Tennessee Tech hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out one.
» The Tigers drew five walks from Tennessee Tech pitching.
» Hunt led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» Tennessee Tech was led offensively by senior Abby Shoulders, who went 1-for-2.
» Freshman Hannah Lange led the Golden Eagles pitching staff, throwing 4.2 shutout innings.
GAME 2 | Tennessee Tech 6, Tennessee State 3
The Tigers put together a valiant effort on Saturday, but ultimately came up short, losing to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles by the score of 6-3.
Tianna Salcido (1-3) got the ball to start for Tennessee State (9-7, ) and took the loss. Kristian Holder was a bright spot for the Tigers, coming out of the bullpen and throwing 2.1 shutout innings, allowing one hit.
Offensively, the Tigers were led by Kailyn Jean-Baptiste, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a walk and two RBI. Anayah Baker-Rowell furnished a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Mikayla Duke also chipped in for Tennessee State, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 3-0, the Tigers first put runs on the board in the fourth inning. Jean-Baptiste drove in two runs for Tennessee State with a single, that scored Baker-Rowell and Alexis Woods.
The Golden Eagles expanded their lead to 6-2 before the Tigers offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the seventh. Tennessee State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Baker-Rowell, which tightened the Golden Eagles lead to 6-3. The ballgame ended with that seventh inning rally falling short.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Tennessee State went 3-for-7 (.429) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 29 Tennessee Tech hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and six fly balls.
» Jean-Baptiste led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with two RBI.
» Tennessee Tech was led offensively by sophomore Olivia Evans, who went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Sophomore Emily York led the Golden Eagles pitching staff, throwing seven innings of three-run ball.
