May 4, 2012

Tech wraps up regular season looking for a higher seed in OVC Tourney

With seeds two through six in the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament up for grabs, the Tennessee Tech softball team travels to Morehead, Ky. this weekend for three games against the Eagles.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- With seeds two through six in the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament up for grabs, the Tennessee Tech softball team travels to Morehead, Ky. this weekend for three games against the Eagles. A doubleheader is slated for noon on Saturday with a single game on Sunday to wrap up the regular season.

Currently in sixth place, the Golden Eagles have clinched a spot in the six-team field, but have the chance to move up in the standings. With three wins, and help from the other teams around the league, Tech could finish as high as second, earning a first-round bye. If the Golden Eagles are able to sweep Morehead State, they would move into fifth, jumping either Murray State or Eastern Kentucky, who play each other this weekend. All scenarios assume that all games will be played as scheduled.

Morehead State (14-33, 7-18 OVC) is coming off of a pair of wins in a three-game series at Tennessee State a week ago. Prior to those wins, the Eagles had lost 15 of their last 17, with wins over Butler and Murray State. MSU can be tough at home, however, as the Eagles beat Jacksonville State twice in March, including a run-ruled 10-2 victory.

MSU is led by Amber Riddle, whose 11 home runs, .366 average, and 38 RBI are all team-highs. In the circle, the Eagles rely on the arm of Katie Pfost who leads the team with an ERA of 2.84. Pfost (5-14) has a pair of shutouts to her name and has struck out 103 while allowing 141 hits.

Tech's strength comes from its depth. The Golden Eagles have 12 batters who have 40 or more at-bats on the year. Senior Brooke Basten and junior Brittney Spalding lead Tech with 17 RBI apiece and combine for 15 extra-base hits. Senior pitcher Holly Thomas is throwing one of the best seasons of her career and ranks among the top in the conference in several categories. Her 15 wins and 2.12 ERA are team-highs while her opponent's batting average of just .202 is the best in the OVC.

The OVC Tournament is scheduled to begin on May 10 and will be played at the top-seeded UT Martin. For more information on the tournament, click here.