MACON, Ga. – The Tennessee State softball team wrapped up play at the MUSB Invitational II with two competitive contests against Columbia and Mercer. The Tigers fell 5-2 to the Lions and 5-4 to the Bears, moving to 0-10 on the season.
GAME ONE: JEAN-BAPTISTE, JACKSON PRODUCE EARLY RUNS AGAINST LIONS
Tianna Salcido made her fourth start of the season, tossing 0.1 innings. Miriam Gordon provided steady relief with 2.2 scoreless frames, allowing just one hit and recording a strikeout. Chelsi Ervin closed out the game with 3.0 innings in the circle, striking out two while surrendering two runs on two hits.
Defensively, Kailyn Jean-Baptiste and Mariyah Brown combined for 13 putouts to anchor the Tigers. Jace Jackson and Jean-Baptiste each drove in a run, while Alexis Woods and Hailey Hunt added hits.
Tennessee State struck first in the top of the opening inning. Woods drew a leadoff walk, and Hunt reached on a fielder's choice to keep the pressure on. Jackson delivered a double to plate the game's first run, and a well-placed bunt by Jean-Baptiste brought Jackson home to give TSU a 2-0 advantage.
Columbia answered with three runs in the bottom of the first. After three scoreless innings, the Lions added two more in the fourth to secure the 5-2 decision.
GAME TWO: LATE PUSH FALLS JUST SHORT AGAINST BEARS
Kristian Holder earned the start in game two, working 3.0 innings while allowing three runs on five hits and striking out two. Ervin returned to the circle in relief, tossing the final 3.0 innings and allowing two runs on three hits.
Kyra Taylor and Jean-Baptiste paced the Tigers offensively with two hits apiece. Jean-Baptiste and Woods were also key contributors defensively, accounting for 10 of TSU's 18 outs.
The Tigers once again jumped out to an early lead. JaKeyla McDaniel drew a leadoff walk and swiped second to move into scoring position. An RBI fielder's choice from Jasmine Blackburn brought her home for a 1-0 edge.
In the second inning, a single and a walk set up another scoring opportunity, and Woods drove a ball up the middle to extend the lead to 2-0. After Columbia tied the game in the third, Dani James responded with an RBI to briefly put TSU back in front.
Columbia used a three-run fourth inning to claim a two-run advantage and held off the Tigers down the stretch to earn the 5-4 win.
Tennessee State opens Ohio Valley Conference play on Saturday, March 7, traveling to Evansville, Ind., to face Southern Indiana. The Tigers are scheduled for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., followed by a single game Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
