HOUSTON – Texas Southern and Mississippi Valley State split a Friday double-header, with the Lady Tigers taking game one 5-4 and MVSU prevailing in game two 4-2. The win in game two secured the series win for TSU.
Game one required extra innings after a spirited seventh inning. Down 2-1, MVSU (6-19, 2-4 SWAC) put up three runs to take a 4-2 lead after Alexandra Dobbins drew a bases loaded walk and Sharia Comier slapped a two-run single.
In the bottom of the frame, Texas Southern (11-11, 4-1 SWAC) knotted things up after Briana Simpson was able to parlay a triple into a run scored following an error, and Marisa Rodarte plated Tiffany Marshal with a single.
Mississippi Valley State threatened twice in the extra frames, but stranded five runners over the eighth, ninth and 10th innings. Haley Smith delivered a game-winning RBI double in the final inning for the Lady Tigers to score Precious Alvizo.
Krystalani Yockman and Smith were 2-for-4 each, with Yockman picking up two RBI. Jahcenda Garrett was 3-for-5 for MVSU Lauren Rodriguez got the win to improve to 2-5, allowing three runs on five hits in 5.0 innings of relief. Rebekah Clinton picked up the loss, striking out five in 4.0 innings while allowing four runs (three earned).
In game two, it was Mississippi Valley that benefitted from late-inning production. After Domonique Tello scored on a wild pitch to tie the game for Texas Southern, MVSU responded in the sixth thanks to a two-run single by Cormier.
Texas Southern was able to get runners on the corners in the final innings, but Smith grounded out to end the threat and the game.
Annaisa Sanchez was 2-for-4. Tello was 3-for-4 with a triple. Clinton pitched 2.0 innings of relief en route to improving to 4-10 for MVSU. Tyra Williams received the loss for TSU, allowing two runs on four hits in 1.1 innings.
