NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee State softball team wrapped up its Ohio Valley Conference series against Lindenwood on Sunday afternoon at Tiger Field, falling 11-4 in the series finale after a competitive effort highlighted by a strong middle-inning response from the Tigers.
Chelsi Ervin earned the start in the circle for Tennessee State, working through the opening innings before Tianna Salcido entered in relief. Miriam Gordon later closed the game for the Tigers.
Lindenwood struck first in the third inning, using a pair of RBI plays to take an early 3-0 lead. Despite the early deficit, Tennessee State stayed composed and continued to apply pressure offensively while working to keep the game within reach.
The Tigers delivered their biggest momentum swing in the fifth inning. Jasmine Blackburn opened the rally with a hit to spark the offense, followed by productive baserunning that placed multiple runners in scoring position. Jace Jackson came through with a clutch single to left field, driving in Jasmine Blackburn and Mariyah Brown to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Tennessee State continued to capitalize moments later when Dani James delivered another key hit, sending a single to first base that brought home Alexis Woods and Jackson to tie the game at 3-3. The four-run inning showcased timely hitting and aggressive play from the Tigers as they erased the early Lindenwood advantage.
Lindenwood regained a narrow lead in the sixth inning, but TSU continued to battle at the plate. Mariyah Brown paced the Tigers offensively with a three-hit performance, while Blackburn and Jackson each recorded multi-hit games. The Tigers finished with 10 hits as a team, consistently creating traffic on the bases throughout the afternoon.
The Lions pulled away in the eighth inning with a multi-run frame, but Tennessee State continued to compete through the final outs, demonstrating resilience and offensive growth throughout the contest.
Tennessee State will return to action April 11–12 as the Tigers travel to face the Morehead State Eagles in an Ohio Valley Conference road series in Morehead, Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a 12 p.m. finale on Sunday.
