Tuskegee scored five runs in the final inning of its Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) opener against Kentucky State Monday afternoon but fell short in its rally, 13-9 at the TU Softball Field in game one of a three-game series that concludes on Tuesday.

The Golden Tigers trailed 13-4 in the seventh inning before Cecelia Tennessee started the teams rally with a double down the left field line. Two batters later, Tennessee would score as Sommer Fitzpatrick stole second base making the score 13-5. Fitzpatrick crossed home plate on a throw narrowing TU's deficit to 13-6. Shambrinetta Adams,  Jasmine Howard and Sierra Smith would all score in the same inning, bringing the Golden Tigers to within four runs, 13-9. The rally would end when Daija Brown grounded out to second base after pinch hitting for Roneshia Rudolph.

KSU scored five runs in the opening inning and tacked on at least one run through the remaining innings. TU was held scoreless through five innings until Howard scored on a wild pitch.

The Golden Tigers raked up a total of 16 hits, led by Adams and Howard who were both 3-of-4 on the day. Mowery and Lawrence both drove in a pair of runs while Smith hit the team's only homerun.

Mowey picked up the loss for the Golden Tigers falling to 1-8 on the season. She pitched all seven innings allowing 13 runs on 18 hits while striking out three batters.

The three-game set ends Tuesday with a double-header that starts at 12 pm.