HOUSTON – HBU was able to edge Texas Southern 3-2 at Memorial Park on Tuesday in what was a defensive battle between the two teams from start to finish.Â
TSU Lead-off hitter Jessica Miller went 4-for-4 to lead Texas Southern (18-16). Briana Bryant took the loss as she relieved starter Madison Staton, who went 3.0 innings. Bryant allowed two runs, two hits, and three walks in 1.2 innings. Samantha Jiminez tossed the final 2.1 innings.
After falling behind 1-0 the Lady Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the second, as, with runners at first and third, they pulled a successful double steal, allowing Chanler Powell to score.
The Huskies took a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth as they drew back-to-back bases-loaded walks. Bryant was subsequently removed from the circle, as Jimenez entered the game. Jimenez got a strikeout to end the inning.
HBU got itself into a jam in the bottom of the fifth, with bases loaded with Lady Tigers and only one out, but a groundout got the force out at home. A bases-loaded wild pitch brought TSU within one, 3-2, but HBU regrouped and got Chelsea Guenther to ground out to end the frame.
The Huskies got TSU out in order in the bottom of the sixth, but ran into another jam in the decisive seventh. After back-to-back singles, Brianna Simpson laid a sac bunt to move the runners into scoring position for the SWAC's leading hitter in Thomasina Garza.
Garza would draw a walk, loading the bases. HBU got a strikeout, getting Parker for the second out of the frame. The Huskies got Guenther to ground out to end the inning and close out the game.
Texas Southern will host Grambling State this upcoming weekend on Friday and Saturday at Memorial Park to close out regular season play.
