TSU Tigers Split on Day One of Tiger Classic

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- Tennessee State used a run-rule victory over Alabama State to earn a split on the first day of the Tiger Invitational. The Tigers defeated the Hornets 10-0 in six innings after getting shutout by Saint Louis, 6-0. TSU is now 6-12 on the season, while SLU improved to 5-7 and ASU dropped to 1-17.

 

In game two, the Tigers jumped out quickly as Jennifer Givens and Kiarra Freeman picked up singles and moved around to score on a sacrifice fly by Audrey Sensing and a wild pitch, respectively. TSU added to their 2-0 lead with a run in the second inning. After Lindsey Burgess collected her sixth double of the season, Ashley Haynes singled to right field to allow Burgess to cross home plate.

 

TSU put some distance between themselves and ASU in the fourth inning with four runs. Burgess started the scoring with a triple to right center to plate Brianna Roberts. The Tigers then followed with a single run on three consecutive batters. Kacie Daughtery started the run with an RBI single to center and was followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Shann'da Hamer. Kate Morris closed out the sequence with an RBI single to centerfield to extend the lead to 7-0.

 

Kate Morris put an end to the night in the bottom of the sixth with a towering three-run home run to centerfield for the 10-0 victory. The blast was the second dinger of the season for Morris.

 

Shea Morris (4-6) picked up the win as she recorded her second shutout of the season. Morris was masterful as she threw 59 strikes in 73 total pitches on her way to 11 strikeouts. The Hornets could only manage two hits off of the sophomore pitcher.

 

In the first game, Olivia Gamache (2-6) went the distance scattering seven hits allowing just one earned run. TSU ran into trouble with three errors in the first inning giving up two runs. The lone SLU earned run came in the top of the seventh inning to extend the lead to 3-0. Another Tigers miscue allowed the Billikens to add three more runs for the final score. Gamache tied her career high of six strikeouts.

 

Freeman finished the day with four hits in six at bats and a walk. Kate Morris was 3-for-7 with four RBI, while Burgess stroked a double and a triple.

 

Day two of the tournament begins at 9:30 am. The Tigers will faceoff with Nebraska-Omaha at 3:30 and Indiana at 7:30 pm. All of the Tigers games can be heard on tsutigers.com.

TSU-Saint Louis Boxscore TSU-Alabama State Boxscore Day 1 Results Nebraska-Omaha-5, Indiana-0 Nebraska-Omaha-9, Saint Louis-0 (5 inn) Indiana-8, Alabama State-0 (5 inn) Saint Louis-6, TSU 0 TSU-10, Alabama State-0 (6 inn)   COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION