Texas Southern nearly erased a late deficit but came up just short in a 3-2 loss to Florida A&M during SWAC Tournament semifinal action Thursday afternoon in Gulfport, Miss.
Florida A&M struck first in the opening inning to take a 2-0 lead after collecting three hits in the frame. Texas Southern answered in the second as Jade McQueen doubled down the right-field line and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Penelope Saenz to trim the deficit to 2-1.
The game remained tight behind solid pitching and defense from both teams until the fourth inning when Florida A&M's Jayla Douglas launched a solo home run to center field to extend the Rattlers' advantage to 3-1.
Texas Southern continued battling and mounted a final push in the seventh inning. After two quick outs, McQueen delivered again with a solo homer to left-center field, cutting the deficit to one run. The Tigers later brought the tying run aboard, but Florida A&M recorded the final out to secure the victory.
McQueen led the Tigers offensively by going 3-for-3 with a double, home run, and two runs scored. Lanay Carr added a hit while Saenz drove in a run. Kylie Wilson appeared in the circle and helped keep the Tigers within striking distance with a pair of strikeouts.
Texas Southern finished with five hits while Florida A&M recorded six. The Tigers left just one runner on base in the contest.
The Tigers will have to face Southern at 10:30 a.m. Friday in a winner-take-all matchup for the right to advance to the title round against Florida A&M later that afternoon.
