DECATUR, Ala. - Prairie View A&M moved one step closer to its postseason goal with a hard-fought, emotional 5-0 win over top-seeded Texas Southern on Thursday at Wilson Morgan Field. Junior pitcher Cally Falls threw a three-hit shutout to help PV achieve its first win over TSU in several years.

In the second inning, freshman Rachel Rodriguez reached base via a walk, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch after freshman Lexus Walker's walk. TSU made a pitching change after Walker's walk but the move didn't pay immediate dividends for the Lady Tigers as an illegal pitch brought home Rodriguez for the 1-0 lead. TSU loaded the bases in the bottom of the second with two outs but PV got out the jam as Walker made a solid play in the outfield to end the inning.

After two scoreless innings from both squads, Walker hit a one out single in the fifth followed by freshman Peyton Simms' single. A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position and junior shortstop Leanna Flores came up with a big RBI for the 2-0 lead. Brenicia Woods drove in PV's third run of the game with a sacrifice fly to center for the 3-0 advantage.

In the sixth, sophomore Shontel Lopez singled to right with one out and was lifted for pinch runner Olivia Pace. Freshman Tiffany Robertson moved Pace over with an infield single which paved the way for Rodriguez's infield RBI on a fielder's choice at second. Walker hit a hard double to center to chase out TSU's second pitcher of the day and once again, PV took advantage of the new pitcher as a passed ball scored Rodriguez for the 5-0 advantage.

Falls was too much for the TSU lineup as the game went on after retiring 12 consecutive batters while striking out six. Flores and Walker had two hits each with Flores, Woods and Rodriguez recording RBIs.

PV is the lone team from the SWAC West remaining as TSU was eliminated by Mississippi Valley State 1-0 on Thursday evening. As a result, PV will face MVSU in a rematch from Wednesday's opener and needs only one win to advance to the championship round on Saturday. MVSU, the defensive SWAC Champion, will need to defeat PV twice on Friday.

Friday's matchup is set for noon at Wilson Morgan Park.