Title image via Aaron Quinn
Courtesy of Scott Wallace , Tennessee State Athletics
2
TSU
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UTC
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSU | 2 | 8 | 2 |
| UTC | 3 | 7 | 0 |
W: Taylor Long (2-0) L: Jean-Baptiste, Kailyn (0-1)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. —The Tennessee State Tigers fell 3-2 in a nine-inning matchup to the Chattanooga Mocs Wednesday. Freshman Holly Ayala (3-2) was a bright spot for the Tigers (6-3), starting the ballgame and throwing a complete game, giving up three runs, zero earned, on seven hits, with no walks and four strikeouts.
In the batter’s box, the Tigers were paced by grad student Nahtali Simpson, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a triple. Senior Marisa Mauroschadtcompiled a noteworthy performance, going 2-for-4 with a double. Sophomore Ryla Traylor also chipped in for Tennessee State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding an RBI.
“We had our chances but couldn’t get timely hits,” said Tiger head coach Genee McRath. “Leaving 11 runners on is something we have to work on. Holly pitched well. We have to give her more support.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers struck first, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning on got an RBI single from Traylor, scoring Simpson from third base. The Mocs then rallied to score two unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Tigers got back on the board in the fourth. Tennessee State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of junior Anayah Baker-Rowell, which evened the score at 2-2. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Chattanooga’s Kaili Phillips scored on a base hit by Jayce Purdy to right field that landed just fair. Phillips advanced to third, the throw home to hold her went wide, and she scored on the throwing error to end the game.
GAME NOTES
» Tennessee State’s highest-scoring inning was the first and the fourth, when it pushed one run across in each inning.
» Tennessee State left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Tigers out-hit the Mocs at an 8-7 clip.
» Ayala faced 32 Chattanooga hitters in the game, allowing ten ground balls and ten fly balls while striking out four.
» Simpson led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple.
» Chattanooga was led offensively by freshman Olivia Lipari, who went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
» Freshman Taylor Long led the Mocs pitching staff, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings.
The Tigers will be in action in the Panther Invitational in Atlanta, playing five games starting Friday.
Next Game: vs. Western Carolina 2/24/2023 | 12:30 PM
