NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee State softball team closed out its Ohio Valley Conference series against the UT Martin Skyhawks on Sunday afternoon at Tiger Field. The Tigers fell 11-1 in the series finale, moving to 0-20 on the season.

Chelsi Ervin got the start in the circle for Tennessee State, delivering 6.0 innings while allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits and adding three strikeouts. Tianna Salcido and Miriam Gordon entered in relief in the seventh inning.

Alexis Woods led the Tigers offensively with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate, accounting for more than half of TSU's five hits. Kailyn Jean-Baptiste added a hit, while Jasmine Blackburn also reached safely to contribute to the Tigers' offensive effort.

UT Martin struck early with three runs in the first inning and added another in the fifth to build a 4-0 lead. The Tigers remained within reach behind a strong outing from Ervin, who limited the damage and kept TSU in the game through six innings.

The Skyhawks extended their lead with a seven-run seventh inning to pull away late. Tennessee State responded in the bottom half of the inning, as Woods and Jean-Baptiste recorded back-to-back singles before Kyra Taylor drove in the Tigers' lone run with an RBI groundout.

Despite the late push, TSU was unable to close the gap as UT Martin secured the series finale.

Tennessee State will return to action on Wednesday, March 25, as the Tigers host the Lipscomb Bisons softball at 5 p.m. at Tiger Field.