Tech tops Tigers in extra innings, splitting a pair on the day
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech softball team had to
score four unanswered runs, but was able to take Tennessee State to
extra innings and eventually come away with a 4-3 win in game two,
after falling to the Tigers 2-0 in the early game. In the first
game, flawless defense by State held Tech (21-21,9-4 OVC) scoreless
throughout. In the bottom of the first, freshman Whitney Cummings
hit a ball deep into right center, but centerfielder Jill Gardner
extended her arm over the fence, robbing Tech of a home run.
State (16-18,7-7 OVC) threatened in the fourth after loading the
bases on a walk, single, and an error. With two outs, freshman
pitcher Holly Thomas struck out Gardner, keeping the score 0-0
through six innings.
Tech's best opportunity came in the sixth with two runners on and
two outs. Sophomore Kaleigh Gates hit a line drive towards the
right side, but it struck freshman pinch-runner Brooke Basten,
causing her to be called out for interference.
With runners on second and third in the seventh, State put the only
two runs of the game on the board. Brittany Webb grounded out to
shortstop, scoring Gardner from third, putting the Tigers up by
one. A single by the pitcher, Caitlin Eaton, scored Jennifer
Culberson, sealing the game for Tennessee State, 2-0.
Thomas suffered the loss, her tenth of the year, allowing the two
runs and four walks while striking out eight.
Game two began in the same fashion as State jumped on top in the
third. Tamara Perkins began the inning with a triple to center,
coming around to score on a two-out single by Bridget Metzger.
Another single and a walk loaded the bases for the Tigers, but
sophomore Maddie Schmissrauter got out of the jam by striking out
Royesha Goodman.
State extended its lead in the fifth when three hits and a pair of
Golden Eagles errors helped two Tigers cross the plate. Senior
Kristina Hortert came in to relieve Schmissrauter, and, after
walking two, got Nichole Vincent to fly to center field where
freshman Cassidy Skeen made a spectacular catch to end the inning,
leaving the bases loaded again.
Tech's bats caught fire in the bottom of the inning, tying up the
game at three apiece. Freshman Jordan Leff reached and advanced to
second on an error, then came in to score on a Skeen double to
right center. Back to back singles by Cummings and sophomore Lacie
Coquerille scored two more Golden Eagles, all with no outs.
Each team was held scoreless until the bottom of the eighth when
Gates led off the inning with a walk and was followed by a Thomas
single. Leff was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Skeen
with one out. With a 3-2 count, Skeen fouled off a pair to stay
alive, before also being hit by a pitch to advance the runners,
scoring Gates from third and giving Tech the 4-3 win.
Hortert got the win, her first of the season, striking out two in
her 3.2 innings of work.
Skeen went 4-6 on the day, scoring once and driving in two.
Cummings also had a pair of RBIs as well as her OVC-leading 14th
double of the season. Gates, Leff, and Coquerille all scored for
the Golden Eagles as no Tech batter struck out in the second
game.
The Golden Eagles will host Eastern Illinois in Ohio Valley
Conference Action this weekend starting with a doubleheader Friday
afternoon at 1.
