Softball Splits Doubleheader With UAPB Monday Afternoon

The Texas Southern softball team split a Monday doubleheader against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Memorial Park.

TSU 4, UAPB 0
Naomi Reyes came within one out of a no-hitter while Tevanae Tate hit two RBI as TSU won the opener 4-0.

Crimson Davis hit a one out single in the first and was driven home on Paige Jackson’s RBI as the UAPB center fielder couldn’t handle the ball for the 1-0 lead. TSU would return to the board in the third as Davis singled to third, stole second and moved to third on Jackson’s single. Tate hit a sac fly to center which scored Davis for the 2-0 advantage.

Pamela Richardson led the fifth inning off with a bunt single and moved over to third after a pair of UAPB battery issues. Davis drew a walk and attempted to steal second but her speed caught the UAPB fielder off guard and allowed Richardson to steal home for the 3-0 lead. Two batters later, Tate singled to center for the 4-0 margin which would end the scoring.

In the seventh, Reyes was in line for another no-hitter as Ashling Shahan opened the inning with an acrobatic catch. However, with two outs and an 0-2 count, UAPB’s Felicia Drake hit a single to left center to end the no-hitter. Despite flirting with the no-hitter, Reyes managed to strike out 11. Davis led TSU offensively with a 2-for-2 outing with three runs and an RBI followed by a 2-for-3 performance and an RBI from Jackson.

UAPB 8, TSU 5
The TSU offense struggled early in game two and by the time the bats awoke in the final innings, the wall was too big to climb as UAPB shocked them in an 8-5 game two decision.

UAPB broke open a scoreless tie in the third with two outs on an RBI single. TSU struggled at the plate with only one hit over the first four innings and couldn’t close out UAPB in the fifth despite two quick outs.

After two easy outs by the TSU defense, UAPB’s Tyrah Elerby drew a full count walk followed by a single and two-RBI double for the 3-0 lead. TSU went to its bullpen as Mariah Youngblood came on in relief but allowed a quick RBI double for the 4-0 TSU deficit.

TSU left a pair of runners on in the fifth and UAPB created further separation in the sixth with two outs once again as fielding errors and well-placed hits fueled a four-run frame as they led 8-0 and threatened to run-rule TSU.

The Lady Tigers battled to prevent the run-rule as Mila Rodriguez hit an RBI triple in the sixth to score Daryn Haslam. After a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, TSU attempted the wild comeback as Madison Griggs singled with one out followed by a Davis walk. Paige Jackson singled to left for the team’s second run which set up Tevanae Tate’s three-run blast over the right field fence as TSU trailed 8-5. However, UAPB regrouped and forced a foul out and fly out to end the game.

Haslam led TSU with a 2-for-4 outing with a run while Jazmine Gendorf took the loss on the mound in 4.2 innings of action.

The series will end on Tuesday with a single game tentatively scheduled for noon at Memorial Park. However, a threat of rain may shift the venue and time so stay tuned to TSU’s social media outlets.