JASPER, Ala. – In a game that ultimately became the final Kentucky State University athletic contest for the 2019-20 season, the Kentucky State softball team was able to conclude on the winning side of the scoreboard.

Freshman Tanisha Valdez (Maui, Hawaii) stroked a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the Thorobreds to the 7-6 walk-off win over Savannah State Thursday in the opening game of the 2020 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) crossover. Following three consecutive one-run losses to open SIAC action, it was a win that the team hoped would be the tipping point to a turnaround. Unfortunately, the euphoria of said walk-off came to a crashing low as seniors Sasha Allen (West Covina, Calif.) and Katie Arbec (Louisville, Ky.), along with the rest of their teammates, were informed that the season was canceled.

"This is a difficult time especially for our seniors," said Kentucky State University head coach David Morton. "The team worked extremely hard this year and it's a disappointment to have the season end in this manner.

"I am extremely proud of our young ladies and the fight they showed today to have our last game of the year be a win," Morton continued. "Although this may be a low light for all student-athletes, we have a bright future ahead of us and we will continue to push Onward, Upward and Forward."

The SIAC had announced during the game that spring athletic seasons and championships were canceled in light of recent developments relating to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Kentucky State's comeback started as sophomore Olivia Saylor (Lancaster, Ky.) and junior Kailen Olison (Moreno Valley, Calif.) reached via one-out hit by pitches. Junior slugger Moana Pinner (Hilo, Hawaii) drove home both players with her third hit of the game, a double to straightaway center field.

Freshman Sarah Mercer (Louisville, Ky.) pinch ran for Pinner and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on Valdez' single.

You couldn't fault the young Thorobreds if they experienced shades of déjà vu as Savannah State scored one run in the sixth inning and took the lead with three runs in the top of the seventh. In their three one-run losses, runs in the late innings led to the defeats.

Instead of looking into the past, Kentucky State stayed in the moment to secure the victory.

The Thorobreds took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, but single runs in the second and third innings enabled the Tigers to pull even. A sacrifice fly by sophomore Janae Graham (Morehead, Ky.) in the fourth inning and a double by Pinner in the fifth inning gave KSU its two-run lead back. However, SIAC newbies Savannah State battled back.

Pinner finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI to lead Kentucky State. Valdez recorded a career-best three hits, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI. Saylor was 2-for-3 with three runs scored.

Freshman Alexis Menifee (Lexington, Ky.) allowed six runs, five earned, on eight hits in seven innings of work.