JACKSON, Miss. – The Tuskegee softball team battled through a competitive day at the Capital City Classic, dropping two closely contested games against Grambling State and Jackson State on Saturday.
 
The Golden Tigers fell in a 4-3 heartbreaker to Grambling before taking a 12-4 loss to Jackson State in the nightcap. Despite the setbacks, Tuskegee showed resilience at the plate and in the field, moving to 3-3 on the season.
 
Grambling State 4, Tuskegee 3
The Golden Tigers opened the day against Grambling State in a game that saw them control the lead for most of the contest before a late rally from the Tigers sealed their fate.
 
Tuskegee wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Tamiya Martin got things started with an infield single, followed by a bunt single from Shawna McNair to put runners on first and second.
 
After Alarryn Beckley was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Ava Merideth delivered an RBI single to bring home Martin. DaJhay Norton followed with a groundout that allowed McNair to cross the plate, giving Tuskegee an early 2-0 lead.
 
The Golden Tigers extended their lead in the second inning after Jessica Morales led off with a single and promptly stole second. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored on an error by the Grambling catcher to put Tuskegee ahead 3-0.
 
Tuskegee's defense held strong through five innings as starting pitcher Kamya Hampton kept Grambling's bats at bay. She scattered just four hits through five scoreless innings while striking out five.
 
The momentum shifted in the bottom of the sixth, however, as Grambling took advantage of defensive miscues. After an error and a walk, Katelynn Walls delivered a clutch two-run single to bring the Tigers within one run. Aniyah Lee followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center, tying the game at 3-3.
 
Tuskegee had a chance to regain the lead in the seventh, as Beckley singled to right field and advanced to second on a groundout. However, the Golden Tigers were unable to capitalize, setting up Grambling for a walk-off opportunity.
 
Cadashia Collins led off the bottom of the seventh with a double and was brought home on a game-winning RBI single by Cheyanne Sales, sealing a 4-3 win for Grambling.
 
Hampton (1-2) took the tough-luck loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out five in a complete-game effort.
 
Jackson State 12, Tuskegee 4
Tuskegee looked to bounce back in the second game of the day against host Jackson State, but the Tigers' offense proved too much to overcome.
 
Despite an early lead, Tuskegee could not contain Jackson State's late offensive surge, falling 12-4 in five innings.
 
Jackson State struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first, but Tuskegee answered quickly in the top of the second.
 
Alexis Thompson sparked the rally with a leadoff double, and after an error allowed Victoria Harrison to reach base, Nylah Strange-Lindle was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Caroline Clark followed with a fielder's choice that allowed Thompson to score, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
 
Tuskegee took the lead in the third, stringing together three runs behind patient at-bats and timely hitting. Jessica Morales got things rolling with a single, followed by a walk from Thompson.
 
After another walk to Ava Merideth, Jackson State's catcher committed an error, allowing Morales to score and tie the game.
 
Strange-Lindle then grounded out, bringing in Thompson for a 3-2 advantage. Clark continued her strong day at the plate with an RBI single to left field, extending the lead to 4-2.
 
Jackson State quickly responded in the bottom of the third with a four-run outburst, capitalizing on two Tuskegee errors. The Tigers took advantage of a misplay in right field, followed by back-to-back RBI hits, giving Jackson State a 6-4 lead.
 
Tuskegee had opportunities to close the gap, but Jackson State's defense held firm, stranding multiple Golden Tiger baserunners in the fourth and fifth innings.
 
The game got out of hand in the bottom of the fifth, as Jackson State erupted for six more runs to enforce the run-rule. The inning was highlighted by a two-run double from Meah Almaraz and a bases-clearing hit from Brooklyn Morris to seal the 12-4 victory.
 
Monica Rose (2-1) suffered her first loss of the season, allowing 12 runs (eight earned) on 13 hits while striking out two in 4.2 innings.
 
Despite the losses, Tuskegee saw strong offensive performances from Thompson, who went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored against Jackson State, and Clark, who recorded two RBIs on the day. Morales also contributed with multiple hits across both contests.
 
Up Next
Tuskegee will look to regroup as they prepare for their next set of games on Sunday. The Golden Tigers are set to face Mississippi Valley State at 1 p.m. before taking on Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 3 p.m. to conclude the weekend.
 
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 Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. 
 
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