Softball Swept in Doubleheader at Texas Southern

HOUSTON – Texas Southern took both games of a Saturday softball doubleheader in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) defeating visiting Alcorn 8-0 and 3-2 at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas. The Tigers completed the weekend series sweep with the pair of wins on the day.
 
GAME ONE: TSU 8, ALCORN 0
Kylie Wilson threw a complete game and Texas Southern's offense amassed seven runs across the first two innings Saturday afternoon, as the Tigers defeated visiting Alcorn 8-0 in the first game of a SWAC doubleheader at Memorial Park in Houston, Texas.
 
Wilson, who improved to 5-0 on the season, allowed just one hit and one walk over six innings while striking out four to earn the victory in the six-inning run-rule decision.
 
Texas Southern (16-6, 6-2 SWAC) took little time establishing control from the start.
 
In the home-half of the first, Wilson drew a lead-off walk, stole second and eventually scored on an error by Alcorn starting hurler Alainah Felton. Karisma Garcia then singled to center to plate Marisa Perla and give the Tigers a 2-0 advantage after one.
 
The floodgates opened further in the second inning.
 
Marisa Perla reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a two-run single by Dania Durr, who also plated Penelope Saenz and Kylie Wilson to make it 5-0, respectfully. Garcia followed with a two-RBI single to left that pushed the lead to 7-0, chasing Felton from the circle.
 
Felton took the loss, falling to 1-5 after surrendering five earned runs on five hits in just 1.1 innings of action on the rubber. Olivia Miller came on in relief and held TSU to one run on four hits over the final 3.2 frames.
 
Perla went 2-for-4 at the dish with two RBIs and a double. Durr contributed two hits and two RBIs of her own. Garcia finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs as well.
 
The Tigers added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Wilson singled, stole second and eventually came around to score on a Perla RBI double to center.
 
Alcorn (0-9, 0-6 SWAC) managed only one hit in the contest, an infield single by Miller in the fourth inning.
 
GAME TWO: TSU 3, ALCORN 2
Melonie Guardiola shut down Alcorn over the final 3.2 innings and Jade McQueen delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the fourth inning Saturday, as Texas Southern held on for a 3-2 victory over the visiting Braves in the second game of a SWAC doubleheader inside Memorial Park at Houston, Texas.
 
The win completed a doubleheader sweep on the day for the homestanding Tigers, who improved to 17-6 overall and 7-2 in conference play. Meanwhile, Alcorn dropped to 9-18 and 0-7 in the SWAC.
 
Unlike the opener, this one was a tight pitching duel that came down to a single run.
 
Texas Southern starter Miranda Pena allowed two runs on two hits over 3.1 innings but issued five walks and struck out five before giving way to Guardiola, who earned the win and improved to 3-1. Guardiola allowed no hits and walked two over her 3.2 innings of relief.
 
The Tigers drew first blood in the second inning when Lanay Carr doubled to left, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch by Alcorn starting pitcher Olivia Miller.
 
TSU made it 2-0 in the third when Kylie Wilson laid down a bunt single, stole second and scored on a sacrifice fly by Karisma Garcia.
 
Alcorn responded emphatically in the top of the fourth.
 
Paris Thompson led off with a single to center, and Alainah Felton followed with a two-run home – her second of the campaign – run to left field, thus knotting the game at 2-2.
 
TSU replied immediately in the home-half of the fourth.
 
Mia Montemayor doubled to right and pinch runner Amerie Martin came around to score the decisive run on McQueen's single to right field, restoring a 3-2 lead that Guardiola would not relinquish.
 
Felton finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs in a strong offensive showing despite the loss. Chiara Olison took the loss in relief, dropping to 6-10 across the season after allowing one earned run in three innings. Miller, who started and went three innings, walked three and struck out one.
 
Wilson reached base three times, scored a run and stole a base for the hosts. Carr went 1-for-3 with a double and scored once.
 
Alcorn State stranded five runners and went 2-for-7 with runners on base, leaving a pair of scoring chances unfinished in the second and sixth innings. The Braves drew seven walks but could not convert.
 
The Braves look to turn things around Tuesday, March 24, as the Braves welcome in-state foe Mississippi Valley State to Alcorn Softball Complex for a nonconference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
 
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