Garza and Hutchinson Lead the Charge as Lady Tigers Softball Defeats Houston Baptist 8-5
HOUSTON – The Texas Southern Lady Tigers softball team got several impressive performances turned in by members of their team on Tuesday as TSU defeated Houston Baptist University on the road 8-5. Texas Southern used a four-run fifth inning to defeat the Huskies in a game featuring plenty of fireworks offensively.
The Lady Tigers improved to 9-4 overall for the season while pitcher Jeneice Tillman went the distance in the circle, allowing seven hits, five runs and five walks, while striking out two. Sarah Sutton was saddled with the loss for HBU as she tossed six and a third innings allowing eight hits and three earned runs. Texas Southern’s Tillman improved to 3-1 on the mound for the season.
“Jeneice is really starting to show signs that she can be our number two pitcher,” said TSU head coach Worley Barker. “Right now that’s what we’re looking for and she has been working really hard in practice. I think she is going to be a big help to this team as the season progresses.”
Texas Southern jumped out to a 3-0 lead after a first-inning home run by Thomasina Garza, then a two-run double by Jasmine Hutchinson in the top of the second. A lot of the offensive firepower for the Lady Tigers was produced by Garza and Hutchinson who each tallied two RBI. Catcher Chelsea Guenther and left fielder Fitima Alvizo contributed one RBI each. Garza led Texas Southern going 2-for-2 at the plate, with two RBI and three runs scored. Guenther went 3-for-4, while Hutchinson went 2-for-3 at the plate.
“This is Jasmine’s senior year and she has dedicated this season to getting better and putting up the numbers that she did during her first two years in our program,” said Barker. “We tell our players all the time that if you put the work in the results will show. She has put in the work and we’re seeing the results in her play. Thomasina was an All-American in junior college so we knew the type of hitter she could be for our lineup. It’s no doubt that she can be one of the top hitters in our league.”
HBU tied the game at three with a three-run bottom of the second. Back-to-back singles by HBU put runners at first and second with one out. Houston Baptist scored on a sac fly, then two RBI singles.
In the bottom of the fourth, HBU drew a one-out walk, then scored on an RBI triple taking a 4-3 advantage over Texas Southern. TSU answered back with a four-run fifth, as Chelsea Guenther had a two-run double to highlight the inning. After putting together several consecutive solid outings Barker is pleased with the way his team is performing at this point of their non-conference schedule.
“Winning never gets old,” said Barker. This program is one that is built with the ultimate goal of us winning games. We tell our players all the time that we’re trying to get one percent better each and every day. This is a process that can’t be rushed and it will take determination and hard work to achieve our goals consistently. “
Up Next
Texas Southern will host Houston Baptist on Tuesday, March 5 at 3:00 pm at Memorial Park.
