The
100 Moments of TSU Athletics presented by Taco Bell® series looks back at one of the biggest wins in Tennessee State softball history.
The Tigers recorded its first win over a
Southeastern Conference opponent in program history by defeating South
Carolina in Columbia on Feb. 10th, 2012. The
Tigers and second year head coach Jeff Dabney, picked up a win in their season opener for the second consecutive year as they beat the Gamecocks 4-2.
TSU
was the designated home team on the Gamecocks field due to rules set up
for the Palmetto Classic. USC would go down in order to start the game,
while the Tigers used their half of the first to try and catch their
opponents' off-guard.
Junior Jennifer Givens got things started as she shot a ball through the middle of the infield to pick up her first hit as a Tiger. Tedra Alford followed up with a bunt, but USC pitcher Kierstyn White (0-1) attempted unsuccessfully to throw Givens out at second base.
TSU
would score the first run as Givens and Alford broke for third and
second, respectively. Givens would beat the throw and scampered home as
USC catcher Shelby Gonzales could not connect with the shortstop and
sailed the ball into left field. Alford, who picked up the steal of
second, advanced to third when the outfielder threw home. Two batters
later, Alford scored as an illegal pitch was called on White to give the
Tigers a 2-0 lead after one inning of play.
South
Carolina came right back in the second as they picked up four hits and
took advantage of a passed ball to tie the game at 2-2. Gonzales popped a
ball just inside the leftfield line for a two out single that allowed
Evan Childs and Dana Hathorn to cross the plate.
The
tie was short lived as TSU responded in the bottom half of the second
inning. After two outs, Givens picked up her second hit of the game and
proceeded to swipe her second bag of the day. Alford worked a walk to
bring sophomore transfer Devin Amar
to the plate. The Oxnard, Calif., native would deliver with a double to
the wall in left center that plated both runners to put the Tigers back
on top 4-2.
That would be all freshman pitcher Shea Morris
(1-0) needed in her debut, as she held the Gamecocks off with just the
four hits surrendered in the second inning. Morris awarded her lone walk
of the game with two outs in the fourth and would not let another
opponent on base until the first batter of the seventh inning. Hathorn
reached in the final inning off an error, but the first-year pitcher
showed no effects as she retired the next three batters without allowing
Hathorn to advance.
Morris completed all seven innings striking out three and giving up just one earned run on four hits and one walk.
Givens
and Amar each finished 2-for-3, with the junior scoring twice and two
stolen bases, while the sophomore picked up the double and two RBI.
Freshman Savannah Gutierrez notched her first career hit as she went 1-for-3.
The
100 Moments of TSU Athletics presented by Taco Bell® highlights some of
the greatest moments in honor of Tennessee State's centennial
celebration. A new moment will be released each weekday for a total of
100. These moments were chosen by the TSU 100 Moments committee, which
consists of alums from various departments. TSU has so many great
moments, not all can be represented in these 100.