PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Texas Southern opened a critical SWAC softball series with a 5-3 extra-inning win over Prairie View A&M on Friday.
The Panthers struck first in the second as they led off the inning with a walk followed by a bunt single. A walk loaded the bases with one out, but TSU starter Zaria Turner logged a big strikeout. PVAMU went ahead 2-0 with a single up the middle to score two runs, but the defense threw the runner out at third to end the inning. The score remained the same until the fifth as Jade McQueen belted a two-out home run over the center field wall for a 2-2 tie.
In the top of the seventh, TSU had a potential two-out rally with runners on second and third but couldn't capitalize. Turner pitched a 1-2-3 bottom frame to force extra innings.
It was a pitching duel as both teams remained tied until the 10th as the international run rule took effect with Chiara Pryor placed at second to start the inning. Once again, McQueen came through in the clutch with a 2-2 single to move Pryor to third. A fielder's choice on Kylie Wilson's at-bat led to Pryor scoring for a 3-2 lead. PVAMU recorded a strikeout for the first out, but Katelynn Cooper came through in the clutch with a two-RBI single for a 5-2 margin.
A double steal led to a run by PVAMU in the 10th, but Turner ended the game with a strikeout to seal the win as she logged 179 total pitches on the afternoon.
Turner struck out seven while allowing only six hits in 10 innings of work. McQueen finished 4-for-4 with two runs and two RBI while Mia Montemayor had two hits. Both McQueen and Cooper had two RBI for TSU.
The series resumes at 12 p.m. Saturday with a noon doubleheader.
