MOREHEAD, Ky. --Tennessee State's three-run fifth proved to be the difference in the ballgame, as the Morehead State Softball Eagles lost a tough one to the Tigers by the score of 4-3 on Monday. The second game of the doubleheader closed the weekend OVC series with TSU winning both games Monday to claim the conference-opening series.
Freshman Addie Stem (3-7) started and took the loss in the circle for Morehead State (7-8, 1-2 OVC). The right-hander went 4.2 innings, giving up four runs, one earned, on seven hits, allowing one walk and striking out five. Freshman Cassiti Baroni was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 2.1 shutout innings while allowing two hits, walking two and striking out two.
At the plate, the Eagles were led by junior Samantha Cervantes, who went 2-for-3 on the day with her first Eagle home run. Freshman Kendra Lewis put together a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI. Freshman Trinity Spear also chipped in for Morehead State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.
Coach Megan Griffith discusses the team's positives from the game on X (Twitter).
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Spear came across to score the lone run of the inning for Morehead State and get them on the board.
The Eagles lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the fifth trailing 4-1. Morehead State scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Lewis, which brought the score to 4-2 in favor of the Tigers.
Morehead State kept the Tigers off the scoreboard before narrowing the gap to 4-3 in the sixth. The Eagles notched a run on Cervantes' two-out solo home run off sophomore Holly Ayala. The Eagles were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Morehead State pitchers faced 36 Tennessee State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out seven.
» Cervantes led the Eagles at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Tennessee State was led offensively by senior Nahtali Simpson, who went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI.
» Junior Reina Castillo picked up a save, tossing the seventh inning.
UP NEXT
The Eagles continue OVC play Saturday at Southern Indiana.
