March 20, 2009

Thomas throws no-hitter, Schmissrauter tosses shutout

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Freshman Holly Thomas threw her first-career no-hitter Thursday as the Golden Eagles (13-5, 2-0 OVC) swept Tennessee Wesleyan (8-10) by scores of 2-0, and 7-0. Thomas allowed only two runners to reach base in the first game, both on walks, and struck out seven batters. The Golden Eagle defense was spectacular, not committing a single error all day and letting just one ball reach the outfield.

At the plate, Thomas aided her own cause, driving in both runs for the Golden Eagles. In the third inning with the bases loaded and two out, Thomas reached on a fielder's choice after the Bulldog second baseman dropped the ball, allowing sophomore Lacie Coquerille and freshman Jordan Leff to score.

Thomas (6-7) becomes just the sixth different pitcher to throw one of Tech's 15 all-time no-hitters and is the third freshman to do so (Maroon, Bynum).

Offensively, Thomas now leads the Golden Eagles with 19 RBIs on the year and is tied for third in the OVC in that category.

Game two began in the same fashion, as Tennessee Wesleyan had only one hit through the first 4.2 innings. Sophomore Maddie Schmissrauter showed off her pitching prowess, throwing her seventh career shutout, improving her record to 7-8. Schmissrauter gave up only two hits and one walk while striking out 11.

On a day of excellent pitching, the Tech offense was a bit overshadowed, but still quite impressive. Coquerille went 3-4 at the plate, reaching base five times, scoring three times. She also had a double and two RBIs. Freshman Whitney Cummings went 3-6 on the day with three RBIs and scored twice, hitting her third career home run.

In the second game, freshmen Cassidy Skeen, Erin Cutlip, and Brooke Basten scored the remaining runs, giving Tech the 7-0 victory.

The Golden Eagles have just one day of rest before they host Austin Peay in in Ohio Valley Conference action this weekend. The three-game series begins with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m., and will conclude with a single game on Sunday, also at 1.