FRIDAY'S SCORES
Tennessee Tech 5, Toledo 3
Tennessee Tech 6, Ohio 5
Central Michigan 6,
Eastern Kentucky 5
Kansas 4,
SIUE 3 (10)
Jacksonville State 13, Mississippi Valley State 1 (5)
Belmont 5, Miami (Ohio) 3
Appalachian State 5,
Murray State 0
Murray State 6, Evansville 0
@Auburn 6,
Jacksonville State 5 (9)
Missouri State
6, Morehead State 4
Austin Peay 3, Radford 1
Buffalo 6,
UT Martin 4
Eastern Illinois 8, @Jackson State 3
Eastern Kentucky 4, @Louisville 0
Memphis 14,
Morehead State 2
Ohio 5,
Austin Peay 2
Youngstown State 1
, @Tennessee State 0
SIUE 7, Southeastern Louisiana 0
TENNESSEE STATE 5, TOLEDO 3; TENNESSEE TECH 6, OHIO 5
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Resiliency was the name of the game for the Tennessee Tech softball team on Friday. Despite surrendering late inning leads in each game of the Frost Classic hosted by UT Chattanooga, the Golden Eagles (3-7) found a way to prevail in each affair, taking out Toledo, 5-3, and undefeated Ohio, 6-5, in extra innings.
Sophomore Madison Taylor provided the Golden Eagles two biggest hits of the afternoon, driving in Tech's two game winners with go-ahead two-run singles in the sixth inning of game one, and the eighth inning of game two.
Tech has now won three games in a row after suffering a seven-game losing streak to begin the season.
TTU junior Hannah Eldridge helped push the Golden Eagles to a 2-0 advantage early in the opener against Toledo (1-5), knocking in senior Kendall Hooper with a double in the first and then driving Hooper in again with a sacrifice fly in the third.
Freshman starting pitcher Danielle Liberatore (1-3) made the lead stand over the first five innings, blanking the Rockets until the top of the sixth when Toledo struck back.
The Rockets put their first two runners on with singles by sophomore Jessica Lemieux and senior Lani Ernst, before plating their first run with a base hit up the middle by senior Erin Wright, scoring Lemieux and moving Ernst to third.
One batter later Toledo knotted up the tilt, thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman Chandler Rice to bring around Ernst.
The Golden Eagles wasted no time in bouncing back, coming up with three runs in the bottom half of the sixth, starting things off with an Eldridge double, the shortstop's second two-bagger of the game. A dropped third strike on junior Angi Sakamoto and a walk to senior Chelsea Burgess loaded the bases with no one out, before sophomore Madison Taylor gave Tech a two-run lead with a single through the right side to plate both Eldridge and Sakamoto.
Two batters later, sophomore Cortney Fry gave TTU a crucial insurance run, knocking a single into left center to score Burgess, putting the Golden Eagles ahead 5-2.
Leading by three going into the top of the seventh, sophomore pitcher Hannah Weaver (1-2) pushed Tech to the finish line, allowing only one run to notch her first win of the season. The 5-5 righty from Corona, Calif. had entered the game in the top of the sixth, preserving the 2-2 tie by recording the final two outs of the frame, before wrapping things up an inning later.
Starter Danielle Liberatore was tabbed with a no-decision behind 5 1/3 innings of work, surrendering two earned runs on nine hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Toledo's Emily Anderson (1-3) suffered the loss, tossing six innings and allowing five earned runs on seven hits, walking three, and punching out six.
The Golden Eagles carried their momentum from the exciting opener right into the second game, handing Ohio University (8-1) its first loss of the season with a thrilling 6-5, extra inning victory.
Just like against Toledo, Tech found itself in control late, leading 4-1 entering the bottom of the sixth. TTU used a two-run single by Cortney Fry in the second, an Olivia Bennett single and an error to allow Kendall Hooper to score in the third, and a solo home run by Chelsea Burgess in the sixth to jump out to the three-run advantage.
The Burgess round tripper makes it three long balls in the last four games for the Dunlap, Tenn. native, breaking a tie with Angi Sakamoto and Olivia Bennett for the team lead with three long balls.
Down 4-1, the Bobcats trimmed into the deficit with two in the sixth, scoring on an RBI single up the middle by sophomore Savannah Jo Dorsey, and a double by junior Dakota Pyles.
Ohio completed the comeback an inning later, knotting a run in the last of the seventh on an Alexandria Basquez sacrifice fly, scoring sophomore Alexia Cortez, who reached to begin the frame on a dropped third strike, before advancing to second on a Casie Hutchinson sacrifice bunt, and moving to third on a passed ball.
Despite surrendering the lead, the Golden Eagles proved their resiliency once again, coming right back with two in the top of the eighth inning to take a 6-4 lead. Due to tournament rules, which allow each team to place a runner on second to begin each extra inning, the Golden Eagles had Olivia Bennett on second with no one out.
Hannah Eldridge officially began the inning with a fly out to left, which was followed by an Angi Sakamoto single to move pinch runner Christian Gibbs to third and Sakamoto to second on the throw, setting TTU up with runners on second and third and only one out.
Bobcat hurler Savannah Jo Dorsey retired the next Tech hitter on a foul out to third, but Madison Taylor came up once again in the clutch with a huge two-out, two-run single to push the Golden Eagles to the 6-4 edge.
Ohio refused to go quietly in the bottom of the eighth after a base hit by junior Adrienne Gebele brought home freshman Madison Clayton, who was placed on second to begin the inning. A Savannah Jo Dorsey single complicated the matter for Tech's Hannah Weaver (2-2), who was attempting to secure her second win of the afternoon after entering the tilt in the seventh inning.
With runners now on at first and second and no one down in a 6-5 game, Weaver danced out of any further trouble by retiring the next three Bobcats in order, sending TTU to its third consecutive victory and Weaver to her second win on the day.
Tech starting pitcher Taylor Ketchum (0-2) was saddled with a no-decision, allowing just one unearned run in 3 2/3 innings of work, scattering five hits, walking two, and striking out one. Ohio's Dorsey took the loss, pitching all eight innings, giving up six runs (four earned) on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
Offensively, Angi Sakamoto was the only Golden Eagle to pick up at least two hits in the affair, while Chelsea Burgess reached base three times, scoring two runs as well.
TTU will look to continue its win streak on Saturday, squaring off with Campbell at 10 a.m. CT and Northwestern State at 3 p.m. CT.
JACKSONVILLE STATE 13, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 1; AUBURN 6, JACKSONVILLE STATE 5
AUBURN, Ala. - The Jacksonville State softball team split a pair of games on the first day of the Auburn Wilson/DeMarini Classic, routing Mississippi Valley State 13-1 before losing a 6-5 heartbreaker in nine innings to the host Tigers.
The Gamecocks (10-4) grabbed an early lead over the Delta Devils to start the first game, scoring five in the first and three more in the second, and never looked back. In game two, Auburn struck first and pulled out to a 5-2 lead before a two-out Sara Borders homer in the seventh sent the game to extra innings. The Tigers got a ground ball to short from Morgan Estell to grab the walk-off win.
Borders went 4-for-7 on the day, recording two hits in each game. She doubled and singled in the first game before her two homers and three RBI against Auburn. The Alexandria, Ala., native extended her hitting streak to nine games and now has 10 multi-hit games through just 14 games this season. Her .532 average and 16 RBI lead the Gamecocks.
Senior Amanda Maldonado went 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBI in the win over MVSU.
The Gamecocks jumped on the Delta Devils in the first inning, scoring five runs on four hits, three walks and a hit batter. Ella Denes started the inning with a double to right center and scored the game's first run on a bases loaded walk to Kalee Tabor. Cadi Oliver and Stephanie Lewis each had RBI singles in the inning, while Maldonado drove one in after being hit and Hayden Crawford picked up an RBI on JSU's second bases loaded walk of the inning.
Maldonado stretched the Gamecocks lead to 8-0 in the second, thanks to a two-out blast over the wall in left. After homering just once as a junior in 2013, the Tucson, Ariz., native hit her second three-run blast in as many games and ran her RBI total to a career-high four before the second inning ended.
MVSU got on the board after doubles by Tracey Williams and Deja Talton in the third, but JSU put It out of reach in the home half of the fourth. After a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs, sophomore Casey Craig drew a walk to make it a 9-1 game. Taylor Sloan then hit one to center, where it was misplayed, resulting in a three-run error. A Borders double followed to drive in Sloan and push JSU's lead to 13-1.
Akenberger (4-1) earned the win for JSU, holding the Delta Devils to a run on five hits in five innings in the circle. She walked one and struck out four. Cassandra Rivera (0-6) suffered the loss, surrendering 13 runs, nine earned, on 10 hits and seven walks in four innings of work.
The Tigers were the ones to get on the board early in the second game, after a pair of walks from Tiffany Harbin to lead off the bottom of the first set up a Kasey Cooper sac fly that gave Auburn an early 1-0 lead. A leadoff hit batter got things going for Auburn in the third, when three walks, another hit batter and a ground out gave them four runs despite recording just one hit.
The Gamecocks finally got on the board in the top of the fourth, when walks to Tabor and Oliver set up an RBI double Savannah Sloan. The two bagger down the left field line also put runners at second and third with no outs, but Auburn starter Marcy Harper struck out Maldonado and got Crawford and Lewis to pop up to keep the score 5-1.
Borders got another run for the Gamecocks in the fifth, thanks to a two-out solo homer to left. Her third home run of the season cut the Tigers' lead to 5-2.
When JSU seemed to be done in the seventh, Denes laced a two-out double down the right field line to keep JSU's hopes alive. Taylor Sloan then hit a grounder to shortstop Kelsey Bogaards, who threw it away and allowed Denes to score and Borders to step to the plate. Borders delivered the first pitch from Harper over the wall in right field, tying the game and sending it to extra innings.
With the International Tiebreaker Rule in effect, neither team could move its runner over in the eighth and JSU left its runner stranded in the top of the ninth. The Tigers got their bunt from Emily Carosene down in the bottom half of the ninth, moving Tiffany Howard to third and allowing her to score on Morgan Estell's grounder to short in the ensuing at bat.
Harbin started the game in the circle but was removed after surrendering five runs on just one hit with no outs in the third. She issued six walks and hit a batter in just over two innings of work and struck out one.
True freshman Logan Green (2-1) suffered the first loss of her career in tough-luck fashion. The Hebron, Md., nativepitched 6.1 innings of relief and allowed an unearned run on just two hits. She walked three and struck out four.
Lexi Davis (5-1) entered the game in relief of HArper after Borders' game-tying homer in the seventh. She grabbed the win after holding JSU hitless and striking out four in 2.1 innings of relief. Harper gave up five runs, just two earned, on five hits in 6.2 innings in the circle. She walked five and struck out seven.
The Gamecocks will play Auburn again on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. before wrapping up play in the tournament at 6 p.m. against Purdue.
BELMONT 5, MIAMI (OHIO) 3
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Belmont Softball continued its hot hitting this afternoon as the Bruins captured a 5-3 victory over the University of Miami (Ohio) in their first game of the 2014 Hilltopper Spring Fling on the campus of Western Kentucky University.
Belmont (4-5) scored five runs off eight hits, including a 3-run fourth inning, as the Bruins outlasted the RedHawks on the afternoon.
Senior Kat Hollingsworth (Carrollton, Tex.) and sophomore Jessica Wilson (Alvin, Tex.) led the offensive attack for Belmont (4-5) as the pair accounted for six hits and five RBI for the Bruins.
Hollingsworth finished a perfect, 4-for-4 on the afternoon with a pair of RBI. Wilson was also perfect on the day, recording two hits on two at-bats and batted in three runs as the Texas native added to her team-best 11 RBI on the season.
Belmont senior pitcher Brittanie Albright (Franklin, Tenn.) earned her second win on the season while Taylor Moon earned her first save for the Bruins.
Belmont will return to action for a pair of contests on the second day of the Hilltopper Spring Fling. The Bruins will face Bradley at 10 a.m. (CST) and Canisius at 3 p.m. (CST). Live Stats will be available for both of the contests.
APPALACHIAN STATE 5, MURRAY STATE 0; MURRAY STATE 6, EVANSVILLE 0
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - The Murray State softball team split a pair of games on the opening day of the 2014 Blues City Classic host by Memphis at Greenbrook Park in Southaven, Miss. Murray State struggled in the first game, falling to Appalachian State, 5-0, but bounced back in game two with its own 6-0 win over Evansville.
Game 1 – Appalachian State 5, Murray State 0
Appalachian State (2-6) jumped on the Racers (6-3) early, tallying two runs in opening inning. Cynthia Gomez, Sarah Warnock and Lindsay Lodermilk each seemed to have MSU’s number in the game, with each getting a hit in their first look at Murray State pitcher CheyAnne Gaskey. They would continue their hot streak throughout the game as Gomez ended the day with three hits, while Warnock and Loudermilk had two, each to go along with a RBI for all three. The Mountaineers finished the game with nine hits and went on to add two more runs in the third and one in the sixth.
While the ASU offense flourished, the Murray state offense struggled to find its footing. Murray State did not record its first, and only, hit in the game until the sixth on a single by Cayla Levins. The Racers were only able to muster six base runners in the contest using a hit, three walks, an error and a fielder’s choice to get aboard.
Murray State’s best chance in the game came in the sixth after Shelbey Miller replaced Levins on the base paths with a fielder’s choice and stole second to give MSU its first runner in scoring position of the afternoon. Alexa Becker gave the Racers’ two on with two outs two batters later with a walk. However, Murray State was unable to push the runners across the plate and fell, 5-0.
Gaskey fell to 3-2 on the season with the loss after giving up four earned runs on five hits, despite fanning seven batters and walking just three. J.J. Francis entered the game in the sixth and gave the Racers two solid innings in which she allowed no runs, no walks and just one hit.
Game 2 – Murray State 6, Evansville 0
In game two, the Racers responded to their offensive struggles from game one in a big way, by putting up six runs on 11 hits en route to a shutout victory over Evansville. The 6-0 win marks the second time in three games that the Racers have shutout their opponent.
The game began slowly for MSU, as they did not score in the opening frame, despite a hit by Mo Ramsey. However, the bats came alive for the Racers in the second and it began with Levins reaching on a walk. One batter later, Morgan Harrell sent her first double of the season down the left field line, moving to Levins to third. After a walk by Erica Howard loaded the bases, Miller made it 2-0 with her own double that scored Levins and Harrell.
In the third, Alexa Becker led off the inning with a single and was joined on the bases two batters later by Jessica Twaddle, who walked. After the two runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Maggie Glass, Levins brought the duo home with her second triple of the season. Just nine games into her collegiate career, Levins is now just the 10th player in program history to hit at least two triples in their tenure at Murray State. Levins would make it 5-0 during Harrell’s at bat when she scored on error by the Purple Aces (2-3).
The Racers would add one more run in the fifth and that began with a single by Harrell, her second hit of the game. Miller moved Harrell to second later in the inning and she was brought home one batter after that on a single to right by Ramsey. Murray State did not score in the final two innings and held on for the 6-0 win.
Seven Racers tallied hits in the games, with Becker, Harrell, Miller and Ramsey leading the way with two each. Bridges, Levins and Twaddle also came up with hits in the game to give MSU 11 in the contest, marking its third10-plus hit performance of the young season.
While much could be said of the MSU offense in the contest, the pitching was equally impressive. Mason Robinson tossed six shutout innings for Murray State, allowing no runs on six hits with no walks and three strikeouts. In the seventh, Francis came into finish the game for Robinson and struck out the side for her second effective outing of the afternoon.
The Racers will continue play in the Blues City Classic on Saturday with games at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. First up for MSU will be Ball State, followed by Loyola Chicago. Live stats will be available for all games at the Blues City Classic with links posted at GoRacers.com
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 6, EASTERN KENTUCKY 5; EASTERN KENTUCKY 4, LOUISVILLE 0
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Junior Katie Tackett hit a seventh inning, three-run home run to break a scoreless tie and lift the visiting Eastern Kentucky University softball team to a 4-0 victory over Louisville Friday evening at the Cardinal Classic. This marked the first win for the Colonels (5-6) over Louisville since 2003.
Eastern Kentucky loaded the bases in both the third and fourth innings, but was unable to push across the opening run.
Finally, in the seventh inning, Tackett launched a two-out blast over the left field fence to give the Colonels the lead. Four pitches later, fellow junior Lauren Mitchell tallied her first home run of the season to extend the cushion to 4-0.
Junior pitcher Leanna Pittsenbarger (4-2) allowed just one hit on the way to recording her 10th career shutout. Pittsenbarger gave up a lead-off double in the fourth inning, but responded to get three straight fly outs to escape that scoring threat. Only one UofL batter reached base the final three innings.
In the tournament opener, Eastern fell to Central Michigan by a count of 6-5.
The Colonels fell behind early, 4-0, only to rally with three runs in the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 5-4 lead. However, the Chippewas’ CarolAnn Sexauer belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to provide the winning run.
EKU pitchers Shaylon Robb and Hayley Flynn (1-1) each gave up two earned runs in the defeat. Mitchell and sophomore Kayla Joyce led the offense with RBI singles.
Eastern Kentucky continues play at the Cardinal Classic tomorrow, Feb. 22 with a single game against Central Michigan. Game time is set for 10 a.m.
KANSAS 4, SIUE 3; SIUE 7, SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA 0
JACKSON, Miss. - Playing in its first of five games this weekend, the SIUE softball team was defeated 4-3 in 10 innings by Kansas Friday afternoon at the Jackson State Softball Complex.
Kansas took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Cougars (1-9) rallied to tie the game in the top of the seventh when Rebecca Gray produced an RBI double to plate Jill Rackers.
After the game went to extra innings with the score still knotted at 2-2, SIUE grabbed a 3-2 lead via an RBI squeeze bunt from Allison Smiley to score Chelsea Yankolovich.
The Jayhawks (5-4) would respond, tying the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning and winning in the bottom of the 10th with an RBI single from Alex Jones.
Haley Chambers got the start in the circle for SIUE, recording six strikeouts in 9.1 innings of work. The sophomore allowed four runs, two earned, on five hits.
Friday's loss is the fourth one-run defeat the Cougars have suffered so far this season. SIUE is now 1-3 in extra-inning games.
The SIUE softball team completed the first day of competition at the Jackson State Tournament with a 7-0 victory over Southeastern Louisiana Friday night at the JSU Softball Complex.
The Cougars (2-9) jumped out to an early lead against the Lady Lions (2-4), scoring in each of the first three innings.
Freshman Allison Smiley started things off by hitting the first home run of her SIUE career, giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead with a two-run blast in the bottom of the first inning.
Chelsea Yankolovich made it 3-0 in the second inning with an RBI single before Alex McDavid scored via a wild pitch and Rachel Coonrod delivered an RBI double in the third to extend the Cougars' lead to 5-0.
Brittany Toney added some insurance with an RBI single to plate Yankolovich in the sixth inning.
In the circle, Erin Greenwalt tossed a complete game shutout, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out seven. The senior moves to 1-2 on the year.
The Cougars will be back in action Saturday, playing the second of two back-to-back games against Southeastern Louisiana at 12:15 p.m. before taking on tournament host Jackson State at 2:45 p.m.
EASTERN ILLINOIS 8, JACKSON STATE 3
JACKSON, Miss. - Eastern Illinois softball earned an 8-3 win over the host Tiger squad, as the Panthers opened Jackson State Tournament action on Friday (Feb. 21) afternoon to improve to 7-4 on the season.
Junior Bailey O'Dell led the Panther bats with a perfect 4-for-4 plate appearance, as sophomore Jennette Isaac and newcomer Hannah Rachor followed with respective 3-for-4 and 2-for-4 marks.
O'Dell and Rachor joined sophomore April Markowski and junior Hannah Cole with doubles in the win, as senior Ashleigh Westover led the way with a trio of RBIs.
With the game tied at 1-1 through three innings, the Panthers erupted for six runs in the top of the fourth to blow the game open.
An RBI double by Markowski, a sac fly RBI from Rachor, plus Westover's two-RBI shot to center field, and senior Brooke Owens' two-RBI double to left center helped EIU take the 7-1 advantage.
JSU (4-7) would add another run in the bottom of the fourth via an EIU miscue to pull to 7-2 of the Panthers, but with the bases loaded, a Tiger pitch would graze Westover to account for another RBI in the top of the fifth.
JSU added one final score in their last frame for the final score.
Pitcher Hanna Mennenga earned the complete game, behind three stikeouts and five walks, while scattering six JSU hits and allowing two earned runs. The senior improves to 3-1 in the circle.
Eight different Panthers crossed home plate in the victory, while aggressive base running by sophomore Haylee Beck and Isaac helped the two secure a stolen base in the victory.
Panthers return to tourney action tomorrow morning with a 10 a.m. contest versus Kansas, prior playing Southeastern Louisiana in the 7:30 p.m. Saturday nightcap.
BUFFALO 6, UT MARTIN 4
OXFORD, Miss. - The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team opened up tournament play at the Ole Miss Red and Blue Classic against previously undefeated Buffalo, before falling in extra innings by a score of 6-4.
Junior Casey Vincent led the Skyhawks by making the most of her one base hit on the afternoon, tallying a pair of RBIs. Classmate Kenzi Tate tallied a pair of hits in four plate appearances, tallying an RBI of her own. Senior Kayla Wade was the only other Skyhawk to tally an RBI in the tourney opener, going 1-for-2 on the day, while drawing a walk and scoring a pair of runs.
Tate (2-2) tossed a complete game, tallying 8.0 innings inside the circle. The junior tallied four strikeouts but issued four walks and allowed five earned runs to cross the plate.
Buffalo (6-1) was paced by the standout play of its ace Tori Speckman (5-0) in the circle, tossing 8.0 innings of work while striking out five and allowing just two earned runs. The Bulls saw three players tally two hits on the day, led by the play of Hayley Barrow who went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs.
The Bulls jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Bulls put two on with one out in the opening inning as Ryder drove in a run with a single to center field. Holly Luciano and Ashton Earnhardt also both had RBIs in the first.
The Skyhawks would get on the board in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs. With one out, Wade would reach first after being hit by a pitch. Taylor Manning would walk, placing runners at first and second with no outs. Tate would tally her lone RBI of the game on the ensuing batter, knocking a single into center field to plate Wade. Vincent would notch her first RBI of the afternoon with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Manning from third.
UT Martin would score the game’s equalizer in the bottom of the fifth inning. After senior Stephanie Nidiffer reached second on a fielding error by the right fielder, she looked to her classmate to bring the pinch runner Bella Zizzi home. Wade would respond by ripping a triple into right field to score Zizzi and bring the Skyhawks and Bulls into a 3-3 tie which would stretch into extra innings.
The Bulls began the eighth inning with a runner at second base with no outs as the international tie breaker came into effect. Following a walk to the leadoff batter, the Bulls moved the pair into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Hayley Barrow would tally the deciding hit, bringing in the duo with a double. Barrow would then come around to score on an RBI groundout from Devon Rodriguez.
The Skyhawks would look to respond in the bottom half of the inning as Wade took her place at second base. After Tate moved Wade to third on a deep fly to right field, Vincent would score the speedster with a single into center field. The Skyhawks would place the potential tying runs in scoring position following a double by Renate Meckl, but could not push the pair across, falling to Buffalo 6-4 in the eighth.
UT Martin will look to rebound when they return to action for a pair of games on Saturday, Feb. 22 as they continue the Red and Blue Classic. The Skyhawks will take on Northern Colorado at 9 a.m. before a quick turnaround against Saint Louis at 11:15 a.m.
MISSOURI STATE 6, MOREHEAD STATE 4; MEMPHIS 14, MOREHEAD STATE 2
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - The Morehead State softball team allowed 12 runs with two outs during an 0-2 day on Friday at the Blues City Classic, hosted by Memphis, at Greenbrook Softball Complex.
The Eagles (1-6) were defeated, 6-4, by Missouri State (7-2) in the opener, before committing five errors in a 14-2 loss to Memphis (5-5). Sophomore first baseman Dana Hutchins finished a combined 4-for-6 with two RBI to lead the Eagles.
Sophomore right fielder Tressa Watson (2-for-3) was the only other MSU player to record multiple hits versus Missouri State. Senior shortstop Samantha Howard had two of the Eagles' six hits and the lone RBI in the Memphis game.
Freshman pitcher Megan Tymorek (1-3) took the loss in game one, when she allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
In game two, junior starter Tanna Seuferer (0-2) allowed five runs, two earned, with two strikeouts and three walks. Senior hurler Kelcey McMurray allowed four unearned runs in 0.2 innings and Tymorek finished the game by allowing five runs, two earned, in 1.1 frames.
Missouri State led 6-1 after four innings, before the Eagles scored two in the fifth on senior Jamie Massaro's pinch-hit single and sophomore left fielder Lizzy Margagliotti's RBI double with one out in the top of the seventh.
The Eagles led Memphis 2-1 after three, before the Tigers scored 13 unanswered runs.
MSU returns to action on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET when it faces Evansville. The Eagles wrap up the day against Ball State at 4 p.m.
AUSTIN PEAY 3, RADFORD 1; OHIO 5, AUSTIN PEAY 2
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Austin Peay State University’s softball team ended a four-game losing streak, Friday at the Frost Classic, defeating Radford 3-1 in its opening game before falling to Ohio in the nightcap, 5-2.
The Lady Govs (3-9) took the lead over the Highlanders in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run single by Kayla Davidson, driving in Mel Pavel and Amanda De Vries – who both reached base via base on balls.
That would be all the runs that the Lady Govs would need, as Lauren de Castro and Allie Blackwood combined to limit Radford (1-1) to just three hits and one run, with de Castro improving her record on the season to 3-3 and Blackwood recording her first save.
Austin Peay would tack on a run in the bottom of the third, with de Castro getting on with a one-out single and scoring all the way around from first base on a double by Niya Sparks.
Rikki Arkansas led Austin Peay with three hits against the Highlanders, with de Castro picking up a pair of hits.
In the late game versus Ohio (9-1), Austin Peay too advantage on an early Bobcat error to score a run in the top of the first inning.
Davidson would lead-off the game with a ground ball to third, but the Ohio first baseman Alexandria Basquez dropped the ball – with Davidson moving to second base.
After a sacrifice moved Davidson to third, she would score on a single to center field by Kristin Whitmire.
Ohio would respond in the bottom of the inning with four runs on four hits off Lady Gov starter Brianna Bartuccio – highlighted by a two-run double by Basquez.
Bartuccio would settle down after the opening inning, allowing the Bobcats to collect only one more run over their final five at bats – that coming in the bottom of the fifth.
The Lady Govs final run of the day came in the top of the sixth inning, with Laurel Burroughs opening the inning by getting to second base when Ohio made two errors on one play.
An out later, Burroughs would score on a single by de Castro, who led the Lady Govs with three hits against the Bobcats.
YOUNGSTOWN STATE 1, TENNESSEE STATE 0
NASHIVLLE, Tenn. - Tennessee State softball returned home to host the Tiger Classic. In the fourth game of the day, the Tigers took the field, but came up short in a 1-0 loss at the hands of Youngstown State.
TSU (3-8) could not give starter Olivia Gamache the run support in a game where the senior was in control through most of the game. Gamache fell to 0-4 as she pitched 6.2 innings allowing a run on five hits and a walk.
The senior surrendered a hit in the second and two hits in each of the fourth and seventh. The final stanza was the one to derail Gamache as the Penguins picked up a leadoff double and a two-out double to make the score 1-0. Shea Morris entered the game to retire the last batter.
The Tigers went down in order in the seventh to give YSU (3-2) the win. Casey Crozier (2-1) held the Tigers to three hits and three walks, while striking out 11 batters.
TSU threatened in the first off a single and a stolen base by Courtney Gearlds, as well as a walk by Lindsey Burgess. Crozier would end the threat by striking out the side.
The Tigers attacked again in the third as Kiarra Freeman opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. Jayna Hanawahine sacrificed Freeman to third before Gearlds reached after being hit by a pitch. The freshman swiped her second base of the game giving the Tigers another great opportunity with one out and runners in scoring position. Once again, Crozier would avoid any damage by sitting down the next two Tigers.
TSU would get lead off runners on in the fourth and sixth, and picked up a one-out walk in the fifth, but again could not push a run across home plate. The Tigers would leave seven runners on over the course of the game.
Kate Morris notched a hit and finished 1-for-3.
On Saturday the Tigers will face Western Michigan at 1:00pm and will play Temple at 7:00pm in the final game of the day.