PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Texas Southern softball captured its latest series following a gritty doubleheader sweep over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday.
TSU 6, UAPB 5
TSU rallied past UAPB following a three-run seventh inning to claim game one 6-5.
UAPB scored the game's first run in the second, but TSU countered in the fifth as Karisma Garcia hit a three-run homer. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, a hit batter and a walk kept UAPB alive, and they responded with a three-run homer to lead 4-3.
TSU fought back in the seventh as Destiny Menchaca doubled to open the inning and pinch runner Zariah London moved to third after Lanay Carr's sac bunt. Garcia tied the game with an RBI single followed by back-to-back RBI from Jade McQueen and Katelyn Cooper for a 6-4 margin.
UAPB led the seventh off with a solo homer and had the tying run reach first after a single. The defense forced a fielder's choice for the first out, but the tying run reached scoring position. The Golden Lions drew a walk, which represented the winning run, as the game came down to the end. With one out, UAPB hit a line drive to shortstop but Marisa Perla made a leaping catch to save the potential tying run and ended the game after throwing the runner out at third.
Kylie Wilson, Garcia, McQueen and Cooper had two hits apiece while Garcia drove in four runs. Zaria Turner struck out six in the complete game effort.
TSU 5, UAPB 3
TSU used timely hitting and a standout performance from Jade McQueen to earn a 5–3 victory over UAPB in game two.
TSU wasted little time finding its rhythm after a scoreless first inning. In the second, Karisma Garcia ignited the offense with a triple to center field before McQueen brought her home with an RBI single. McQueen later scored on a groundout by Katelynn Cooper, giving TSU an early 2–0 advantage.
UAPB responded in the bottom half of the inning, stringing together five hits. RBI singles from Shakaidria Hubbard and Janiah Wilson evened the score at 2–2.
TSU quickly regained control in the third inning. Jordyn Talbert doubled and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt before coming home on a fielder's choice off the bat of Destiny Menchaca, putting the Tigers back in front 3–2.
The Tigers added to their lead in the fourth when McQueen delivered again, tripling to right center and scoring on an RBI single by Dania Durr to extend the margin to 4–2.
After both teams were held scoreless in the fifth, McQueen provided a key insurance run in the sixth inning, launching a solo home run to left field to push the lead to 5–2.
UAPB continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 5–3 in the bottom of the sixth as Janiah Wilson drove in a run with a single. The Golden Lions threatened again in the seventh, but TSU's defense held firm, turning a game-ending double play to secure the victory.
McQueen led the way offensively for Texas Southern with a triple, home run, and multiple RBIs, while Garcia and Talbert each contributed extra-base hits. Kylie Wilson went the distance as sher struck outy two.
The series concludes at 12 p.m. tomorrow.
