Schmidt, Steele each hit grand slams as Tech tops SEMO in night game
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Tennessee Tech softball team hit four
home runs, including a pair of grand slams, on Saturday in its
two-game split against Southeast Missouri. Sophomore Callie Schmidt
and freshman Jessica Steele went deep in the second game, each
hitting their first career grand slams. Meanwhile, freshman Whitney
Cummings extended her hitting streak to 13 games, dating back to
March 10th.
The Golden Eagles (18-16, 6-1 OVC) opened the first game with
sophomore Lacie Coquerille hitting her third home run of the
season, giving Tech the 1-0 advantage.
The Redhawks answered in the bottom of the frame, however, scoring
two runs on three singles and a hit batter.
Excellent pitching by either side allowed only three total hits
throughout the next three and a half innings until a pair of
doubles by SEMO in the bottom of the fifth drove in Elise Sperakos,
extending the Redhawk lead to 3-1.
Tech had an opportunity to regain the lead in the sixth, loading
the bases with two outs, but was unable to convert as Giana
Zimmerman struck out sophomore Anna Zdroik to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, Coquerille gave Tech hope once more,
hitting another home run. Once more, however, Zimmerman shut down
the Golden Eagle bats, finishing the game with 13 strikeouts on the
way to her seventh win of the season.
Freshman Holly Thomas suffered the loss for the Golden Eagles,
evening her record at 8-8. Thomas walked only one while striking
out six.
Redhawk pitching didn't stand a chance in game two as starter
Stefanie Barnes gave up five runs and two hits and walking a pair
in just one-third of an inning. After a hit by Cummings and two
walks to load the bases, Schmidt blasted her first career grand
slam over the left field fence. Later in the inning, a double by
sophomore Maddie Schmissrauter drove in fellow sophomore Kaleigh
Gates, putting the Golden Eagles up 5-0 after just the first.
In the second inning, Tech padded its lead even more. With two outs
and two on, Schmidt struck again driving a two-run double to
right-center, scoring Cummings and sophomore Katie Betry.
With the bases loaded in the fourth, junior Kimmie White drove in
Betry on the third Redhawk error of the inning. Schmissrauter
follwed her with a single, scoring Schmidt and keeping the bases
loaded with no outs for freshman Jessica Steele. In just her fourth
career at-bat, Steele blasted a grand slam over the left field
wall, emptying the bases, giving Tech the 13-0 win.
Reigning OVC Pitcher of the Week, Maddie Schmissrauter, started off
the week making a case for another award, throwing her third
shutout of the year. Schmissrauter allowed only two hits and two
walks, striking out five, earning her tenth win of the season.
Schmidt went 2-4 with two runs and six RBIs in the game while Gates
was 3-4 with a pair of runs scored. Betry drew three walks and
scored as many times.
The Golden Eagles will wrap up the series at SEMO tomorrow at 1
p.m., and will then move on to face the Texas El-Paso Miners in
Cookeville on March 31 at 4 p.m.
