PULASKI, Tenn. – No. 24 Tennessee Southern continued its strong run through conference play Saturday, sweeping Abraham Baldwin in the SSAC Series of the Week at Royce Hughes Field. The Firehawks improved to 21-3 on the season, tying the 2007 RedHawk squad as both teams reached 20 wins in their first 23 games.
Tennessee Southern 11, Abraham Baldwin 2 (5 Inn.)
The Firehawks answered early adversity with a dominant offensive surge in the opener.
Abraham Baldwin plated two runs in the first, but UT Southern responded immediately. Ella Singletary singled and later scored on Evi Edwards' RBI single before Mikayla McCain followed with an RBI double to tie the game at 2-2.
The Firehawks took control in the third. Edwards doubled to left center and McCain delivered a two-RBI single to give UT Southern the lead. After a bunt single by Marie Bodily moved the rally along, Hannah Lindsey and Carley Cook each drove in runs, and Emory Hall capped the inning with an RBI single to stretch the advantage to 6-2.
UT Southern broke it open in the fourth. Alaina Grace King singled and Edwards followed with a base hit before McCain worked a walk to load the bases. Bodily drove in a run with a single, Lindsey laced a two-RBI double to right center, and a wild pitch brought in another run. Cook added an RBI groundout to extend the lead to 11-2.
Edwards led the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, scoring three times and driving in a run. McCain went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs, while Bodily added two hits and an RBI. Lindsey recorded a double and two RBIs, and Cook drove in two. Hall contributed a hit and an RBI, and King added a hit and scored twice.
In the circle, Stella Gilbreath earned the win, working four innings and allowing two runs, while Ava Harris closed out the game.
Tennessee Southern 2, Abraham Baldwin 1 (8 Inn.)
The nightcap turned into a pitcher's duel before the Firehawks walked it off in extra innings.
Abraham Baldwin struck first in the third, but UT Southern continued to chip away. The Firehawks threatened throughout the middle innings, with Lauren Pettie and Marie Bodily each recording hits, but the tying run did not come across until the seventh.
In the seventh, Mikayla McCain doubled to start the inning and Taylor Gilreath entered as a pinch runner. Pettie followed with a single, and Hannah Lindsey delivered a clutch RBI single up the middle to tie the game at 1-1 and force extra innings.
After a scoreless top of the eighth, Singletary singled to begin the bottom half and advanced into scoring position. Following a sacrifice bunt, McCain came through again with a walk-off RBI single to right, scoring Singletary and securing the 2-1 victory.
McCain led the offense with two hits, including a double, and the game-winning RBI. Pettie added two hits, while Lindsey recorded a hit and an RBI. Singletary finished with a hit and scored the winning run, and Bodily contributed a hit.
In the circle, Singletary was dominant, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run and striking out six.
Tennessee Southern returns to action Friday, March 27, traveling to Thomas for its next conference matchup.
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