HOUSTON — Southern University battled through two very different games Friday at Memorial Park, falling in a tight pitcher's duel in the opener before erupting offensively to claim game two and earn a split against Texas Southern.
 
Game 1: Texas Southern 1, Southern 0
Game one featured a classic defensive and pitching showcase as runs were at a premium from the first pitch.
 
Aaliyah Zabala was efficient and in control throughout the afternoon, tossing a complete six innings while allowing just one run on five hits with no walks. Texas Southern (20-9, 9-5 SWAC) struggled to string together offense, but capitalized on one opportunity in the fifth inning.
 
Southern's (23-12, 9-5) best early chance came in the second inning when Abigail Mitchell singled to center, but the Lady Jaguars were unable to advance her. Southern recorded just three hits in the contest, singles from Asia George, Mitchell, and Katiana Maldonado.
 
The scoreless tie was broken in the bottom of the fifth. A leadoff double put a runner in scoring position before a well-executed bunt single brought home the game's only run.
 
George provided a spark in the sixth inning with a single to shortstop and a stolen base to move into scoring position. However, Texas Southern pitcher Zaria Turner responded with back-to-back outs to end the threat.
 
Texas Southern's Turner finished with eight strikeouts in the shutout effort as Southern was unable to find the timely hit in the 1–0 loss.
 
Game 2: Southern 7, Texas Southern 5
The Lady Jaguars wasted no time responding in game two, putting immediate pressure on Texas Southern from the opening inning.
 
George started the game with a single and quickly advanced into scoring position following a sacrifice bunt from Maldonado and a steal of third. Laila Clark followed with an infield single and stole second to put two runners in scoring position for Mitchell.
 
Mitchell delivered the big swing of the inning, launching a three-run home run to right field to give Southern a 3–0 lead just four batters into the game.
 
Southern kept the pressure on in the second inning. Calli Schell and Kira Manganello opened the frame with back-to-back singles before Prestaisha White moved them over with a sacrifice bunt. George came through again with a two-RBI single to extend the lead to 5–0. Maldonado reached on a fielder's choice, and Clark added a sacrifice fly to make it 6–0.
 
Texas Southern took advantage of three Southern errors in the third inning to plate three unearned runs and cut the lead in half at 6–3.
From there, Chakirrious Parker settled in. The right-hander worked six innings, allowing five runs, only two earned, while limiting further damage and keeping Southern in front.
 
George continued her standout performance in the seventh, doubling to right field before eventually scoring on a Texas Southern error to add an important insurance run.
 
Texas Southern made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh, scoring twice and bringing the tying run to the plate. Zabala entered in relief and calmly recorded the final outs to secure her first save of the season.
 
George finished a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBI, a double, and two stolen bases. Mitchell drove in three runs on the home run, while Clark added an RBI, a hit, and a stolen base in the 7–5 victory.
 
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