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TSU Lady Tigers Top Prairie View for First Softball Title

Jackson, MS. -- The Texas Southern University Lady Tigers left no doubt about who the best team was in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2000.

The Lady Tigers romped through the league's annual tournament without a loss, beating rival Prairie View A&M University 2-0 in the championship game on Sunday, May 7. The tourney was contested at Legion Field here in Jackson.

In making it to the championship game, TSU first upended Southern, 11-3, in a second round game on May 5 after receiving a first round bye. The Lady Tigers then blanked Alabama A&M, the Eastern Division's top seed, in a winners' bracket game on May 6.

The Pantherettes opened the title game three-up and three-down. In TSU's half of the inning, shortstop Aisha Collins singled and later scored, giving the Lady Tigers all the runs they'd need.

For security purposes, however, TSU added a run in the bottom of the hird inning after Collins again singled and then scored when Shawndra Alpough doubled to left field.

TSU increased its season record to 24-27 with the victory while Prairie View A&M ended its season with an identical 24-27 mark. The Lady Tigers will move on to face the champion of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in an NCAA play-in game later this month.

2000 ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
1B-Rae Lynn Gault, Prairie View
2B-Misty Loester, Prairie View
3B-Ana Padilla, Texas Southern
SS-Carolyn Hutchings
OF-Latresha Williams, Prairie View
OF-Latrenda Watson, Jackson State
OF-Natalia Harmon, Texas Southern
C-Myeshia House, Southern
P-Jennifer Chandler, Texas Southern
P-Kimberly Thomas, Prairie View

Most Outstanding Hitter -Shawndra Alpough, Texas Southern
Most Outstanding Pitcher -Jennifer Chandler, Texas Southern
Most Valuable Player -Jennifer Chandler, Texas Southern
Coach of the Year -Yolanda Senegal, Texas Southern.