COMMERCE, Texas - Texas Southern softball split a pair of games in its 2026 season opener Friday at the East Texas A&M Leadoff.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 4, TSU 1
A three-run fifth inning was the difference as South Dakota State won the opener over TSU 4-1.
The first four innings belonged to the defense as both teams had multiple runners stranded in scoring position as the score remained 0-0. TSU made a pitching change to open the bottom of the fifth and SDSU answered with a leadoff solo homer for a 1-0 lead. TSU would record an out but SDSU followed with a triple and single but TSU regrouped and had two outs. However, SDSU would hit a two-out, two-run single for a 3-0 lead.
TSU countered with a run in the sixth as Jade McQueen drove in KatyLynn Cooper for a 3-1 margin. TSU had the tying runs on base but SDSU closed the inning out with back-to-back strikeouts. SDSU added a solo homer in the sixth to lead 4-1 but TSU fought to the last strike in the seventh as the first two runners reach base. Kylie Wilson moved both runners over via a sac bunt but SDSU forced a flyout and groundout to end the game.
McQueen led the way with a 2-for-3 outing and one RBI. Asia Peart dropped the decision on the mound in a relief performance.
TSU 7, BUCKNELL 6
TSU rallied with a three-run seventh for a comeback win over Bucknell in the nightcap.
Bucknell scored once in the the second but TSU answered in the bottom frame after Jade McQueen's solo homer. The Bison responded with a three-run third to lead 4-1 and added another in the fourth to lead 5-1. TSU's bats woke up in the fifth as Marisa Perla hit a solo homer followed by KateLynn Cooper's single. Lanay Carr drove in Cooper after an RBI double while McQueen cut the deficit to 5-4 after an RBI single.
The Bison tacked on a run in the seventh to lead 6-4 but TSU wouldn't go down without a fight.
With one out, Karisma Garcia doubled to center and McQueen drove in Garcia with an RBI single for a 6-5 margin. Kiersten Salinas followed with a single to knot the game at 6-6 as McQueen scored. Aleena Carrizales fought back and drew a walk for runners on first and second. Bucknell committed a fielding error which allowed TSU to load the bases and pinch runner Kadriana Mincey broke the tie with as she scored the game-winning after another Bucknell error.
McQueen once again had a strong game at the plate as she finished 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. Both Perla and Carr had two hits and an RBI. Miranda Pena came on in relief and earned the win after a solid relief outing from Melonie Guardiola.
TSU is back in action Saturday at 9 a.m. against SFA and 1:30 p.m. versus St. Bonaventure.
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