March 11, 2012

Holly Thomas pitches Tech to marathon victory at APSU

It took 11 innings, but senior Holly Thomas and the Tennessee Tech softball team earned a sweep of Austin Peay to open Ohio Valley Conference play. Thomas picked up her second win of the weekend, hurling 18 total innings.

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Senior Holly Thomas hurled an 11-inning complete game to earn her second win in as many days as the Tennessee Tech softball team beat Austin Peay 5-3 Sunday.

Tech scored in the first inning for the fourth-straight game to take an early lead. Sophomore Cassie Garrett hit a double to open the game, then came around to score on a fielder's choice and interference by the Lady Govs.

Austin Peay tied the game in the bottom of the third as pitcher Lauren deCastro hit a solo home run to left center.

The Golden Eagles answered in the top of the fourth as deCastro hit freshman Angi Sakamoto with the bases loaded to bring in a run.

Once again, the Lady Govs tied it back up in the bottom of the seventh with a walk and a pair of singles, sending the game into extra innings.

Junior Chanelle Spalding opened the eighth with a walk, and Sakamoto was hit by a pitch again, but both were stranded, continuing the marathon game.

Tech finally broke the tie in the top of the 11th inning, as senior Samantha Everett was placed on second to begin the inning. Back-to-back singles by Sakamoto and Garrett scored Everett and left runners on first and second. Senior Brooke Basten, who hit her first career home run Saturday, then doubled to score both runners and put Tech up 5-2.

The Lady Govs were able to muster a lone run off Thomas in the bottom of the inning, giving Tech the 5-3 victory.

Thomas earned her sixth win of the year, striking out eight while walking just one.

Garrett went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, an RBI and a double while Basten hit an RBI double. Sakamoto went 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.

The Golden Eagles are now 3-0 in conference play for the first time since 2009 when they also swept Austin Peay to get the league schedule underway. Tech goes on the road to take on Western Kentucky Tuesday before returning home on Saturday and Sunday to host UT-Martin in a three-game OVC series.