Cummings, Gates each homer and double as Golden Eagles slip past Blue Raiders, 4-3
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- The Tennessee Tech softball team won its
seventh game in a row Tuesday, edging Middle Tennessee State 4-3 in
eight innings. Freshman Whitney Cummings hit both the 13th double
and fourth home run of her career for the Golden Eagles, while
sophomore Kaleigh Gates hit her first double and third home run of
the season.
Gates' home run came in the top of the seventh inning to knot the
contest at 3-3, and the Golden Eagles gave sophomore Maddie
Schmissrauter (9-8) the win in the circle when they plated the
winning run in the top of the eighth. Schmissrauter, who was named
Monday as the OVC Pitcher of the Week, worked out of a jam in the
bottom of the frame to secure the win.
The Blue Raiders took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Caitlin
McLure doubled down the left field line and advanced to third on a
ground out, before Caty Jutson punched an RBI singled to right.
Middle Tennessee made it a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second
inning. Laurie Anna Cooley led off with a bouncing single through
the left side and advanced to second two batters later on a
sacrifice bunt. Cooley scored on a throwing error.
Tech tied the game in the top of the fourth inning when Cummings
nailed a one-out, solo home run to left field before Gates slammed
an RBI double, scoring pinch runner Taylor Horseman.
The Blue Raiders went back out in front in the bottom of the
fourth. Junior Jessica Ives hit a 1-2 pitch aover the fence in left
for her first home run of the season to make it 3-2.
Gates led off the top of the seventh inning with a home run over
the left field fence to tie the game at 3-3. MTSU had a chance to
win in the bottom of the frame, but Schmissrauter stranded a Blue
Raider runner at third with a ground out to force extra
innings.
The eighth inning began with the tie-breaker rule in effect,
placing a runner at second base for each to begin their individual
innings.
Lacie Coquerille was placed at second, and moved to third on a
sacrifice bunt by pinch hitter Erin Cutlip. Following a walk to
Cummings, sophomore Callie Schmidt delivered an RBI single to plate
Coquerille.
Schmissrauter was tested in the bottom of the eight and came up
with a couple of big plays to give Tech the win. McLure was placed
on second base and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. A walk to
Jutson two runners aboard, and a stolen base had them both in
scorig position.
McLure tried to score the tying run an a ground ball back to the
circle, and Schmissrauter gunned her down at the plate. The
sophomore pitcher then struck out Cooley to end the game.
Schmissrauter finished with six strikeouts, walking one and
scattering six hits in her eight innings of work. Kellie Head (1-3)
took the loss, pitching the final 4.1 innings and allowing two runs
on three hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
Tech (17-15, 5-0 OVC) will travel to Southeast Missouri (11-8, 2-1
OVC) this weekend to defend it's first-place ranking in the Ohio
Valley Conference standings.
