Golden Eagles no-hit Jaguars, fall to Panthers in extras
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team began the day on the high note with a no-hit victory against IUPUI, but fell in its second contest of the day in extra innings to Northern Iowa.
The first game was the Holly Thomas show
as she put on a clinic in Tech's 7-0 victory over the Jaguars as
she posted her second career no-hitter, allowing only four runners
to reach base.
A pitches duel ensued for the first four innings as Thomas
allowed only one walk, setting the stage for the pivotal fifth
inning.
Sophomore Melody
Christian opened the fifth with a single and stole second.
Sophomore Chanelle
Spalding drove in Christian with a single the center field to
put Tech up 1-0. Senior Lacie
Coquerille stepped in next and belted her first home run of the
season over the left field fence to make it 3-0.
The Golden Eagles managed three more runs in the inning, two
of which came off a single from junior Brooke Basten, to
increases Tech's lead to 6-0.
With a six-run lead, Thomas locked in for the final three
innings, letting just three runners on via a walk, an error and a
hit batsman as she wrapped up the game for Tech 7-0.
Thomas' no-hitter is just the 16th in the programs history and
the first since the 2009 season, when Thomas threw her first career
no-hitter against Tennessee Wesleyan. Thomas, who struck out nine
batters, imporved to 3-2 on the season.
The Golden Eagles seemed to carry the momentum over into their
second game against Northern Iowa, but a three-run, seventh-inning
rally by the Panthers for extra innings. UNI would go on to take
the game in the eighth inning.
Junior Whitney
Cummings took the loss, giving up three runs, two earned, over
4.2 innings pitched.
At the plate, Cummings, senior Callie Schmidt
and sophomore Brittney
Spalding each drove in a run.
Tennessee Tech takes part in day two of the Frost Classic
Saturday as it faces Toledo and Northwestern State. Game times are
set for 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.