Kentucky State University softball picked up an SIAC tournament win against Tuskegee University, 8-0, but had its season come to an end later in the day to Miles College, 9-2 on Friday.
The Thorobrettes (16-21, 8-5) played for their playoff lives, sending the defending 2016 SIAC Champions home with an 8-0 win earlier in the day over the Tigers. The Golden Bears did the same to KSU, extending the Thorobrettes’ SIAC championship drought to seven consecutive seasons.
Game 1: KSU 8 TU 0
Freshman Kiaja Aikman turned in a stellar performance in a time of need for the Thorobreds as she pitched a complete game shutout, and striking out three.
The Thorobrettes offense accounted for all eight runs, spanning from the second to the fourth inning. Freshman Natalia Bocanegra scorched a single to center, scoring senior third baseman Katelyn Drake and senior designated hitter Keyana Dunn, for a 2-0 lead. Senior center fielder Tyniesha Wilson followed later in the inning with a RBI single to left field, ending the inning with a 3-0 advantage.
KSU added five more runs through the duration of the contest for an 8-0 victory.
Sophomore shortstop Jittaun Thompson turned in a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 with a RBI. Bocanegra, Wilson and senior first baseman Kaitlin Oshiro each turned in multi-hit games.
Game 2: MC 9 KSU 2
KSU jumped to an early 1-0 lead, looking to capture the same magic they had in the first game of the day, but the Golden Bears tied the game at 1-1 and later 2-2 in the second inning. The third inning proved to be a turning point as MC took its first lead of the game at 4-2.
The pitching change from freshman Chante Thome to Aikman occurred in the fourth, but the Golden Bears kept adding to their lead with three runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth for a final of 9-2.
KSU collected four hits, with Oshiro, Dunn, and junior second baseman Brittney Gately picking up singles, and Thompson added a RBI double.
by Eric Mathews
