Southern defeated Texas Southern University (TSU) in a close softball game that went into extra innings, ending with a 3-2 score on April 4. The matchup concluded the series between the two teams on Saturday morning.
The contest was marked by strong performances from both sides. TSU took an early lead in the second inning when Jade McQueen hit a two-run home run over the right field fence. However, Southern responded in the third inning, scoring one run due to a fielding error and tying the game with a sacrifice fly.
Pitchers Zaria Turner for TSU and Aaliyah Zabala for Southern engaged in another pitching duel, keeping both offenses limited as regulation play ended tied. In the eighth inning, Southern started with consecutive singles and advanced runners before TSU’s defense managed to throw out a runner at home plate. Despite this effort, Southern followed up with an RBI single to center field that brought in what would be the winning run.
TSU had one last opportunity in their half of the eighth inning when McQueen hit her third hit of the day—a double to left—but could not capitalize further as play ended on a pop-up. McQueen finished with three hits in four at-bats, collecting two runs batted in and scoring once herself. Marisa Perla added two hits for TSU while Turner struck out four batters across eight innings pitched.
Looking ahead, TSU is scheduled to return to action against Alcorn State next Friday at 3 p.m., continuing their season on the road.
