TUSKEGEE, Ala. – Behind a dominant performance in the circle from freshman
Monica Rose and timely execution on offense, Tuskegee softball opened its final home series of the season with a 2-0 victory over Kentucky State on Friday evening at the TU Softball Field.
With the win, the Golden Tigers improve to 20-5 overall and 15-2 in SIAC play, while Kentucky State drops to 10-15 overall and 8-7 in the conference.
Rose (11-2) was lights out in the circle, delivering a complete-game shutout while striking out 10 and scattering just four hits across seven innings.
The right-hander did not allow a single extra-base hit and walked only one batter, marking her sixth start this season with double-digit strikeouts.
Tuskegee wasted no time getting on the board in the opening frame.
Tamiya Martin reached second to lead off the bottom of the first after an error by Kentucky State third baseman Andralyn Brown.
She advanced to third on a passed ball and was driven in by a groundout from
Shanna McNair to give the Golden Tigers an early 1-0 lead.
After five scoreless innings, Tuskegee added an insurance run in the sixth.
Victoria Harrison led off the inning with a single, later scoring when senior
Jessica Morales drove a two-out double into the gap for her 20th RBI of the season, pushing the lead to 2-0.
Offensively, Tuskegee managed just three hits, with Morales, Harrison, and
Kaeley Roldan each recording one.
Despite limited production at the plate, the Golden Tigers made the most of their scoring opportunities, capitalizing on three hit batters, two walks, and a passed ball.
Kentucky State's Kayla West (2-4) took the loss, pitching a complete game and allowing three hits, two runs (one earned), and two walks while striking out two.
Despite a solid outing, her defense committed a costly early error and she struggled to avoid the free passes.
At the plate, Savannah Teale paced Kentucky State with two of the team's four hits.
Brown and LillieAnn Hollom each added one hit, but the Thorobreds were unable to mount a serious scoring threat, stranding five runners and going 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
Defensively, Tuskegee was flawless with no errors and strong play in the field, turning multiple groundouts and pop flies into routine outs to preserve the shutout.
Up Next
The Golden Tigers and Thorobreds will return to action on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. as Tuskegee celebrates its Senior Day. The Golden Tigers will look to secure their eighth consecutive conference series win and continue their pursuit of the SIAC regular-season title.
How to Follow the Golden Tigers
For complete information on Tuskegee Golden Tigers Softball, visit
GoldenTigerSports.com and follow the team's social media channels on
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Facebook.
