Tech falls to Tigers on 3-run walk-off double
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A walk-off bases-loaded double gave
Tennessee State the 4-3 OVC win over the Tennessee Tech softball
team on Thursday. The Golden Eagles (23-27, 9-10 OVC) struck first
in the fourth and, after State tied the game in the bottom of the
inning, added a pair of runs in the fifth to regain the lead
Sophomore Lacie Coquerille led the offense for Tech, going 1-3 with
a pair of RBIs.
Freshman pitcher Holly Thomas (11-13) took the loss, striking out
three while walking three and allowing four runs on four hits.
Tech sparked the scoring in the fourth with two outs. After a
single by sophomore Katie Betry, freshman Whitney Cummings struck
out, but reached first on a throwing error by the catcher. The
error allowed Cummings to reach third, and scored Betry from first,
putting Tech up 1-0.
Two walks, a wild pitch, and a hit batter allowed the Tigers
(18-28, 8-12 OVC) to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth,
1-1.
In the fifth, freshman Brooke Basten led off the inning with a
single up the middle and was followed by a bunt single by fellow
freshman Jordan Leff. Junior Kimmie White came in to pinch-hit and
grounded a ball straight back to pitcher Caitlin Eaton, but beat
out the throw to load the bases. Coquerille then singled into
left-center, scoring Basten and Leff, giving Tech the 3-1
advantage.
That score held until the bottom of the seventh with one out. Three
consecutive singles by State loaded the bases for Brittany Webb,
who drove a double into right-center, clearing the bases to give
the Tigers the 4-3 victory.
Tech managed five hits while striking out five times and leaving
three on base. This marks the fifth time this season that Tech has
lost by just one run.
The Golden Eagles look to keep their Ohio Valley Conference
tournament dreams alive as they travel to UT-Martin for a
three-game series this weekend, beginning Saturday at 1 p.m.
