MACOMB, IL — The Tennessee State softball team extended its winning streak to eight and locked down its fourth OVC season series with 7-3 and 7-5 victories over Western Illinois on Sunday afternoon.
GAME 1 | Tennessee State 7, Western Illinois 3
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 7-3 win against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Sunday.
Castillo (13-3) started in the circle and picked up the win for Tennessee State (19-9, 9-3 OVC). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on eight hits, allowing no walks and striking out two.
In the batter's box, the Tigers were paced by Woods, who went 1-for-4 on the day with three RBI. Hunt furnished a standout performance as well, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Spencer also contributed for Tennessee State, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding three walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. Woods drove in two runs for Tennessee State with a single, that scored Duke and Spencer.
The Tigers then held the Leathernecks scoreless before expanding their lead in the third inning. The Tennessee State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Hunt, which brought the score to 6-0 in favor of the Tigers.
Tennessee State kept Western Illinois scoreless before building their lead to 7-0 in the sixth inning. Western Illinois put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Tennessee State still coasted to the 7-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» Tennessee State grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Tigers out-hit the Leathernecks at a 9-8 clip.
» Tennessee State went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 29 Western Illinois hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out two.
» The Tigers drew six walks from Western Illinois pitching.
» Woods led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-4 with three RBI.
» Western Illinois was led offensively by junior M. Luna, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI.
» Audrey Clark led the Leathernecks pitching staff, throwing 4.2 innings of one-run ball.
GAME 2 | Tennessee State 7, Western Illinois 5
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 7-5 win against the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Sunday.
Salcido (4-4) got the win for Tennessee State (20-9, 10-3). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on 11 hits, allowing two walks and striking out three.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Woods came across to score the lone run of the inning for Tennessee State and get them on the board.
The Leathernecks then tied the ballgame at one before the Tigers came back to reclaim their advantage in the third inning. The Tennessee State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Hunt, which brought the Tigers lead to 5-1.
Western Illinois narrowed Tennessee State's lead to 5-3 before the Tigers stretched the advantage to 6-3 in the sixth inning.
Tennessee State kept the Leathernecks without a run before their offense got back in action the next inning. Hunt crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Tigers, bringing the score to 7-3 in favor of Tennessee State. Western Illinois put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Tigers still held on for the 7-5 win.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four runs across.
» The Tigers had control of the rest of the game after jumping ahead of the Leathernecks 1-1 in the top of the second.
» Tennessee State pitchers faced 35 Western Illinois hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out three.
» The Tigers drew nine walks from Western Illinois pitching.
» Hunt led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
» Western Illinois was led offensively by junior Maria Luna, who went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
» Kathryn McChristy led the Leathernecks pitching staff, throwing four innings of one-run ball.
