February 25, 2011

Golden Eagles no-hit Jaguars, fall to Panthers in extras

Holly Thomas throws second career no-hitter

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.