Kayla Hughes

• Article
• April 15, 2019

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team will close out its non-conference schedule on Wednesday as the Golden Eagles host Western Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano providing the call.

• Article
• April 14, 2019

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team wrapped up its road slate on Sunday, taking away a split at Belmont. The Golden Eagles fell 4-3 in the first game, then held on to take a 7-5 victory in the nightcap. The Bruins (26-17, 8-8 OVC) pulled out the victory in the bottom of the seventh in game one as Audrey Lyle hit an RBI single to right center, driving in Cameryn Strother for the walk-off win.

• Article
• April 12, 2019

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee State came up with a dramatic win in the bottom of the seventh of game one, but the Tennessee Tech softball team pulled off some heroics of its own in extra innings of the second game to earn a split on Friday. The host Tigers won game one 3-2, while Tech won 11-5 in eight innings in the nightcap. The Golden Eagles keep even pace as their record moves to 17-19 on the season, 7-7 in Ohio Valley Conference play. In the opener, Alyssa Arden held Tennessee State to one run through the first five frames, then the Golden Eagles scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to take the lead. Raegan Sparks drove in pinch runner Amanda Phy on a single to left for the first run, then Beth McCulley scored on a throwing error at short on a grounder from Gabby LaSala.

• Article
• April 11, 2019

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As Tennessee Tech softball gets set to head to Nashville this weekend for doubleheaders at Tennessee State and Belmont, the Golden Eagles find themselves in a must-win situation. Following Wednesday afternoon’s games, Tech (16-18, 6-6 Ohio Valley Conference) finds itself tied with Belmont (24-15, 6-6 OVC) and, by percentage points, SIUE (12-16, 4-4 OVC) for seventh in the league standings, essentially battling for the final spot for the conference tournament, which will be held May 8 through 11 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. Granted, that’s just under a month away and there’s still plenty of games left to play, but for the Golden Eagles, the competition doesn’t get easier, even if all the games following this weekend are at the Tech Softball Field. Following a midweek non-conference doubleheader Wednesday against Western Kentucky, Tech entertains Austin Peay, Southeast Missouri and UT Martin to close out the regular season.

• Article
• April 09, 2019

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team needed a statement win and, on Tuesday, the Golden Eagles found it. After a 7-0 loss in game one to Jacksonville State, a contest where the Golden Eagles were two-hit by Faith Sims, one of the Ohio Valley Conference’s top pitchers, Alyssa Arden certainly made her own case in game two. The freshman hurler threw her third no-hitter of the season, blanking the Gamecocks in a 2-0 victory in the nightcap. With the no-no, Arden becomes the first Tech pitcher to throw three no-hitters in a single season.

• Article
• April 08, 2019

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Following a tough weekend at Murray State, the Tennessee Tech softball team will have to quickly move past that performance as they get set to host Jacksonville State in an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at the Tech Softball Field. Admission is free. The visiting Gamecocks slipped into second place in the OVC standings with an 8-2 record in the league, with Murray State’s sweep over the Golden Eagles propelling the Racers (7-1) into first place by percentage points and one fewer loss.

• Article
• April 06, 2019

MURRAY, Ky. – A late miscue broke a scoreless tie at an inopportune moment on Saturday while the Tennessee Tech softball team couldn’t get the timely hit it needed to break onto the scoreboard as the Golden Eagles were swept in both ends of the doubleheader against Murray State. The Racers (17-18, 7-1 Ohio Valley Conference) won the first game 1-0, then defeated Tech (15-17, 5-5 OVC) 5-0 in the second. The first game was a fantastic pitchers’ duel between Tech’s Alyssa Arden and Murray’s Hannah James as the two went blow for blow in the contest and neither hurler yielding a run. Arden even had a no-hit bid going through the sixth.

• Article
• March 31, 2019

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech came back in dramatic fashion to take game one against SIUE on Sunday, but couldn’t work the same magic in the second game as the two teams split the doubleheader at the Tech Softball Field. Tech won the first game 7-3, while the Cougars took game two 10-3. The Golden Eagles evened their season record at 15-15 overall, while moving to 5-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference race, a tie for sixth with UT Martin while two games back from conference leader Jacksonville State (7-1).

• Article
• March 29, 2019

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The way Alyssa Arden was pitching on Friday, the Tennessee Tech softball team only needed one run. But as the freshman mowed down the Eastern Illinois offense in the first game, all the visiting Panthers could do was muster a walk on a hit batter. The one miscue was it as Arden collected her second no-hitter of the campaign in a five-inning 8-0 affair in game one. Tech also won the second game In a come-from-behind fashion to take the sweep with a 5-3 win in the nightcap.

• Article
• March 27, 2019

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Home runs for Alexis Trimiar and Gabby LaSala weren’t enough on Wednesday afternoon as the Tennessee Tech softball team took a tough 8-3 defeat to Lipscomb on the Draper Diamond. The Lady Bisons (21-11-1) held the Golden Eagles to just three hits – the two homers and a double for Ashley McGowan – as Megan Gray went the distance, walking four and striking out six along with the three earned runs.

• Article
• March 24, 2019

MOREHEAD, Ky. – After a tough day Friday at Eastern Kentucky, the Tennessee Tech softball team found an opportunity to put some runs and hits on the board as the Golden Eagles swept Morehead State on Sunday. Tech (12-13, 2-2 Ohio Valley Conference) won the first game 13-2, then the second 15-3 in five innings. But the numbers from just those two games are staggering – nine home runs for the Golden Eagles and 27 RBI, as well as a .400 batting average, collecting 26 hits in 65 at-bats on Sunday.  Tech also scored 10 runs in one inning in the second contest.

• Article
• March 22, 2019

RICHMOND, Ky. – Ohio Valley Conference play had a bumpy start for the Tennessee Tech softball team on Friday as the Golden Eagles put plenty of hits on the board, but the explosive Eastern Kentucky offense put up run after run. The Colonels won game one 9-4, bolstered by a six-run fourth inning, then completed the sweep with a five-inning 13-3 defeat in the nightcap. Tech falls to 10-13, 0-2 in the Ohio Valley, while EKU improves to 15-10, 2-0 in the league. Tech continues the weekend’s road trip with a jaunt over to Morehead State on Sunday, with first pitch slated for 11 a.m. Central.

• Article
• March 21, 2019

RICHMOND, Ky. – In Tennessee Tech’s 34 seasons of softball, the Golden Eagles haven’t faced any teams more than Eastern Kentucky and Morehead State. Nearing or over the century mark against both schools – the 97th against the Colonels and the 109th against the Eagles – it’s almost fitting that the Golden Eagles open their 26th season of Ohio Valley Conference softball play against those two squads. Tech will travel to Richmond on Friday, playing EKU in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m., then following it up with a jaunt over to Morehead, Ky., to face MSU in a Sunday twinbill with an 11 a.m. start.

• Article
• March 15, 2019

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the tournament schedule winding down and another week before Ohio Valley Conference play commences, the Tennessee Tech softball team will host East Tennessee State in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Tech Softball Field with the second game approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Admission for all games at the Tech Softball Field is free to the public. East Tennessee State comes into Cookeville with a 12-9-2 record in tow, falling twice to Evansville in its four games played in its Buccaneer Classic last weekend. Weather washed out the Buccaneers’ games against Rutgers and Tech in the event, but ETSU earned an 11-5 win over Siena and a 5-1 victory over the Purple Aces, before falling 2-1 and 6-5 to Evansville in the final two games.

• Article
• March 11, 2019

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Following a 2-3 week that put the team back at a .500 record for the season, the Tennessee Tech softball team looks to reverse the weekend’s trend as the Golden Eagles host Evansville for a single game on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Tech Softball Field. Admission to the game is free.

• Article
• March 10, 2019

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After a month on the road, the Tennessee Tech softball team finally came home, hosting Bradley in a doubleheader. But while the first game was a back-and-forth affair, the second game was marred by a 10-run inning for the visiting Braves, leading Bradley to take the set 7-6 and 11-1 in five innings. In all, the Golden Eagles yielded five home runs to the Braves on the day – three in the opening game and two in the nightcap. Tech’s record falls back to .500 at 8-8, while Bradley improved to 11-10.

• Article
• March 07, 2019

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – It’ll be a busy weekend for the Tennessee Tech softball team over the next couple of days as they travel to Johnson City and back for the Buccaneer Classic at East Tennessee State, then open their home slate on Sunday. Granted, that’s all with weather permitting as the Cookeville forecast is looking like rain for Friday and Saturday, and the same in Johnson City. But should everything progress as scheduled, the Golden Eagles will put their five-game winning streak on the line Friday with contests against Rutgers and East Tennessee State, while Tech gets a single game with Evansville.

• Article
• March 05, 2019

FLORENCE, Ala. – The first game, it was a timely hit. The second, a solid pitching performance. But by the time the final out was recorded on Tuesday, the Tennessee Tech softball team earned a sweep over a hot North Alabama team, extended its winning streak to five games and earned its best 13-game start since the 2006 season. Tech (8-5) topped the host Lions 3-2 in the opener, then held them off 4-1 in the nightcap, dropping UNA down to a 10-5 record on the season. The Golden Eagles return to action on Friday at the Buccaneer Classic at East Tennessee State with two games on Friday against Rutgers and ETSU, then a single game on Saturday against Evansville.

• Article
• March 04, 2019

FLORENCE, Ala. – After a weekend in Alabama, the Tennessee Tech softball team will venture on from Montgomery and into Florence on Tuesday for a midweek doubleheader against North Alabama. First pitch in the twinbill is slated for 12 p.m. The homestanding Lions, who began its Division I reclassification back in the fall, have performed well thus far, opening the 2019 campaign with a 10-3 record. UNA went 2-0 in its tournament at Tennessee State, topping Portland State 2-1 and Marist 9-0. Two games against East Tennessee State and one against host TSU were washed out by rain this weekend.

• Article
• March 03, 2019

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech softball team played late into the evening, the final game of the day starting at nearly 9:30 p.m., but the wait was worth it for freshman hurler Alyssa Arden as she pitched a no-hitter against host Alabama State in a 2-1 victory Saturday night. Tech (6-5) also won its earlier game, a 2-0 victory over Western Illinois in a rematch of Friday night’s 7-0 victory. The no-hitter stands as the 17th no-no in Tech program history and the last one since Holly Thomas threw one on February 25, 2011, against IUPUI. Arden allowed an earned run in the contest, though, in the fourth inning as ASU’s Alexis Sydnor stole home after reaching on a walk, stealing second and taking third on a pop-up to left field.

• Article
• February 27, 2019

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – After the weather washed out last week’s action, the Tennessee Tech softball team will try to get back into action this weekend as they head down to Montgomery, Ala., for the Alabama State Invitational. Tech will open up play on Friday with games against Southeastern Louisiana and Western Illinois, then take on the Fighting Leathernecks once more on Saturday before facing host Alabama State. Tech wraps up the tournament on Sunday with Purdue Fort Wayne.

• Article
• February 17, 2019

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – It was a fight to the finish in both games on Saturday, but the Tennessee Tech softball team fell in two heartbreakers, dropping a 7-4 contest to Toledo, then a 6-5 eight-inning effort against Indiana State in the second day of the Chattanooga Challenge. Tech (3-5) is slated to take on Dayton at 9 a.m. Sunday to close out its games in the tournament, weather permitting.

• Article
• February 15, 2019

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech found a way to win one in a dramatic comeback fashion in the first day of the Chattanooga Challenge as the Golden Eagles trailed early to Kennesaw State, tied the game to force extra innings, then won in the eighth inning for a 6-5 victory. However, in the day’s second game, host Chattanooga opened the offensive flood gates to take a run-ruled 10-2 victory in five innings. The Golden Eagles (3-3) continue the tournament on Saturday, taking on Toledo at 12:30 p.m. Central, followed by a 3 p.m. matchup against Indiana State.

• Article
• February 13, 2019

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – After a good start to the 2019 season with a weekend split at the Southern Miss Black and Gold Invitational, the Tennessee Tech softball team hits the road this weekend in a short jaunt to Chattanooga for the three-day Chattanooga Challenge. Tech (2-2) will take on Kennesaw State and host Chattanooga on the first day at Frost Stadium. On Saturday, the Golden Eagles will take on Toledo and Indiana State, then close out the tournament on Sunday with Dayton. The forecast for Chattanooga has highs of 60-65 degrees, but light rain is expected in the evening on Friday with the potential for thunderstorms on Sunday.

• Article
• February 10, 2019

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The bats were connecting for the Tennessee Tech softball team as the Golden Eagles closed out the Black and Gold Invitation on Sunday with a pair of wins, beating Jackson State 7-6, then holding out to beat Houston Baptist 7-6. Senior Gabby LaSala ended the day with five RBI to lead Tech as Kayla Hughes and Haeli Bryson picked up their first wins of the season. Tech improves its record to 2-2 after the first weekend before heading to Chattanooga this upcoming weekend for the Chattanooga Challenge on Friday through Sunday, weather permitting.

• Article
• February 09, 2019

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Tennessee Tech softball team had a chance late in its second game of the Black and Gold Invitational to earn its first win of the season against Southern Miss, but the homestanding Golden Eagles snuffed out Tech’s rally with USM taking an 8-6 win on Saturday night. Freshman Alexis Trimiar led Tech at the plate on Saturday in her first two career games, going 3-for-6 with four RBI. Tech went 0-for-2 on its first day of the season, falling 4-1 earlier in the day to Central Arkansas.

• Article
• February 07, 2019

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Break out the bats, dust off the cleats and put on the eye black – the season is ready to start. The Tennessee Tech softball team takes to the field this weekend for its first action in its 34th season of play as it heads to Hattiesburg, Miss., for the Southern Miss Black and Gold Invitational.