April 5, 2012

Tech looks to tame Racers, move up in OVC standings

With just two home Ohio Valley Conference series remaining, the Tennessee Tech softball team is in striking position to make a run in the OVC Standings.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- With just two home Ohio Valley Conference series remaining, the Tennessee Tech softball team is in striking position to make a run in the OVC standings.

Friday, the Racers of Murray State come to Cookeville for what could be a crucial three-game series for either team. Currently, the Racers (13-12, 8-6 OVC) sit half-a-game ahead of Tech in the OVC standings and the teams are tied in the win column. MSU is still recovering from a five-game losing streak, but has won two of its last three with shutout wins over SIU Edwardsville and Eastern Illinois.

The Racers have three pitchers with .500 or better records this season. Leading the way are Shelby Kosmecki and Chelsey Sullivan. Kosmecki leads the team in wins with six and has thrown nine complete games while Sullivan has hurled three shutouts en route to five victories. Offensively, Megan Glosser leads the way, batting .338 with 21 runs scored and just four strikeouts in 80 at-bats. Power hitters Casey Castile and Leslie Bridges have combined for four home runs and 37 RBIs so far this year.

The Golden Eagles are coming off of back-to-back wins over Southeast Missouri last weekend and a win over second-ranked Jacksonville State on Thursday. Senior Holly Thomas earned her tenth win of the season and freshman Taylor Ketchum struck out ten SEMO batters en route to her first career win.

Tech's doubleheader Wednesday at Eastern Kentucky was cancelled due to lightning in the Richmond area. The Golden Eagles will hit the road for a single non-conference game at UT Chattanooga on Tuesday and host EKU on Thursday of next week.