Lady Tigers open SWAC Tournament with 7-2 win over Valley

Courtesy of SWAC.org
 
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A five-run burst in the fifth inning propelled Texas Southern to a 7-2 victory over Mississippi Valley State in the opening round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament on Wednesday.
 
Texas Southern (22-18) tacked on two in the first inning, as Kelsey Riley led off with a bunt single, and Heaven Benavidez drew a walk. After Maidlynn Marek (pictured) moved the runners over, Riley scored on a wild pitch, and Chanler Powell scored Benavidez with a sac fly.
 
With pitcher Jasmin Fulmore keeping the Devilette bats at bay for the early portions of the game, the Lady Tigers got to MVSU starter Rebekah Clinton (CG, 10 H, 7 ER, 5 BB) and pushed their advantage to 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Powell and Heaven Benavidez (1-for-3, 2 R) collected base hits, and Sierra Valdez cleared the bags with a three-run home run over the left field wall.
 
Marissa Padron slapped a double to left that scored Krystalani Yockman as TSU increased its lead. Padron later scored on a wild pitch.
 
The Devilettes (13-32) finally found some offense in the top of the sixth, as Kaylin Dunn delivered a RBI double. Ikeyia Alexander (2-for-3) followed with a base hit to bring Dunn across home plate. However, that was all the Devilettes would muster at the plate for the game.
 
Fulmore scattered eight hits and fanned nine hitters, earning the complete-game win.
 
The Lady Tigers will face Alabama State in a winners' bracket semifinal game Thursday at 3 p.m.