TROY, Ala. — Southern University faced a challenging slate on Saturday at the Troy Softball Complex, dropping a pair of nonconference contests to Chattanooga and host Troy.
 
Game One: Chattanooga 10, Southern 2
Southern (0-4) opened the day against Chattanooga (3-2) and fell 10–2 in five innings.
 
The Mocs capitalized on early defensive miscues, scoring two runs in the first inning to jump out in front. Chattanooga added to its lead in the third, using a combination of timely hitting and pressure on the basepaths to plate five runs and stretch the advantage to 7–0.
 
Southern continued to compete and manufactured a run in the fourth inning. After Kira Manganello drew a walk, Katiana Maldonado entered as a pinch runner and advanced aggressively. Following a wild pitch and a throwing error, Maldonado stole home to put the Lady Jaguars on the scoreboard.
 
Chattanooga responded with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it 9–1, but Southern answered again in the fifth. Rhion Williams delivered a pinch-hit triple down the right-field line, and the Lady Jaguars took advantage of another Chattanooga error to bring home their second run.
 
Southern finished with two hits in the contest, coming from Asia George and Williams. George also added a stolen base, while Prestaisha White and Maldonado were successful on the basepaths as Southern recorded three steals in the game.
 
In the circle, Chakirrous Parker started and worked into the third inning, with Emma Rogers and Jordynn Jennings providing relief. Chattanooga totaled 12 hits, while Southern committed multiple defensive errors that contributed to unearned runs.
 
Game Two: Troy 10, Southern 0
Southern returned to action in the afternoon against host Troy (4-1), falling 10–0 in five innings.
 
Troy struck early once again, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning and adding a run in the third to take a 3–0 lead. Southern threatened offensively in the third inning when Asia George singled and moved into scoring position, but the Lady Jaguars were unable to capitalize.
 
The Trojans broke the game open in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs on five hits and taking advantage of walks, hit batters and defensive miscues to extend the lead to double digits.
 
Southern recorded three hits in the contest, with George, Abigail Mitchell and Prestaisha White each collecting a base knock. The Lady Jaguars also drew two walks but were unable to string together offense against Troy starter Esmee Ames, who struck out eight in a complete-game effort.
 
Aaliyah Zabala got the start in the circle for Southern and allowed three runs over three innings, striking out two. Hayley Hinds came on in relief and pitched the final inning.
 
UP NEXT
Southern will travel to Convington, Georgia for the Leonard Moody HBCU Invitational at the Turner Lake Softball Complex. The Lady Jaguars will take on Howard and Claflin on Friday, North Carolina A&T and Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, and Virginia State on Sunday.


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