Nicolle Nysted

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• May 12, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the COVID-shortened season in 2020, the Ohio Valley Conference teams really didn’t get to know just how much of a presence Nicolle Nysted was for the Tennessee Tech softball team. In 2021, however, they found out. Even with an injury midway through the OVC campaign that sidelined her for nine games, the sophomore from Kennesaw, Ga., led the Golden Eagles offensively and had a solid presence behind the plate. On Wednesday, her efforts paid off as she earned a second-team all-OVC selection as well as a pick to the conference’s all-newcomer team.

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• May 08, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the Tennessee Tech softball team honored its senior class, they all came up big in the season finale leading to a doubleheader split on Saturday. UT Martin took the day’s first game 2-0, then the Golden Eagles won the second 7-4. Jessie Lowery went 3-for-4 in the second game, Beth McCulley was 3-for-7 on the day with an RBI and Hannah Richter set up scoring plays in the later contest. With those players coming through and helping the Golden Eagles (19-30, 13-20 Ohio Valley Conference) earn a victory in the finale, Tech builds some momentum for the future.

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• May 07, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Alyssa Arden and Alexis Groet were locked into a pitcher’s duel on Friday as the Tennessee Tech and UT Martin softball teams started their season-ending set. As each pitcher yielded three hits in the contest, it was errors that produced three unearned runs as the Skyhawks took the first game, winning 2-1.

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• May 06, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – As the 2021 season comes to a close this weekend for the Tennessee Tech softball team, pride is on the line as the Golden Eagles host UT Martin in a three-game series. Tech hosts the Skyhawks in a single game on Friday, starting at 5 p.m., then wrap up the season with a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. The Saturday games will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano providing the call.

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• May 02, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team put together a late rally, but the effort wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit on Sunday as Belmont took a 5-3 victory at E.S. Rose Park, completing the three-game sweep over the Golden Eagles. Tech (18-28, 12-18 Ohio Valley Conference) concludes the regular season on Friday and Saturday as the Golden Eagles host UT Martin.

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• April 30, 2021

NASHVILLE – It’s one final road trip for the Tennessee Tech softball team this weekend as they pack up to Nashville to face Belmont. A doubleheader is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start Saturday from E.S. Rose Park, while a single game on Sunday is also slated for 1 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required). The host Bruins (12-23 overall) have had a tough go in the Ohio Valley Conference race this season, going 8-17 in league play, while also going 7-for-12 in home contests. Belmont has lost five of its last seven games, taking a victory in both series at Murray State and at home against UT Martin.

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• April 27, 2021

BOWLING GREEN, Ky., -- After just finishing one trip into the Bluegrass State, the Tennessee Tech softball team will pack up again on Wednesday and head toward Bowling Green, taking on Western Kentucky in a single game to close out the non-conference slate.  First pitch on Wednesday is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game will be streamed online via Facebook Live and CUSA.tv.  The Hilltoppers come into the game with a 19-11 record, winning three of their last five games. They’ve played just two Conference USA series, falling in three of four to Middle Tennessee, then splitting the Charlotte series two games each. 

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• April 26, 2021

RICHMOND, Ky. – On Monday, everything seemed to be going Tennessee Tech’s way. Haeli Bryson was cruising in the circle, the Golden Eagle bats had put together a lead and the defense was holding strong. It all changed in the sixth inning. After a leadoff walk, errors creeped into Tech’s game. It built and built and as the adage goes, “When it rains, it pours.” Eastern Kentucky rallied for five runs in the inning to take the lead and eventually a 6-3 victory to sweep the Golden Eagles in their final meeting before the OVC-founding Colonels head to the Atlantic Sun Conference.

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• April 25, 2021

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Tennessee Tech softball team battled on Sunday, collecting 15 total hits on the day. But while a rally was nowhere to be seen against Eastern Kentucky in game one, the Golden Eagles took the lead in game two, but it was short-lived as the Ohio Valley Conference-leading Colonels retook the advantage. The Colonels won the first game 3-1, then 4-3 in the later effort. The final match of the series is scheduled for a 1 p.m. Central start at Gertrude Hood Field. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).

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• April 24, 2021

RICHMOND, Ky. – If the series against Eastern Kentucky wasn’t already a big one for Tennessee Tech since it is the last meeting between these two Ohio Valley Conference before the Colonels bolt to the Atlantic Sun Conference, it’s also the Golden Eagles’ chance to take on the conference leader as they try to make a push for a postseason spot. First pitch on Sunday in Richmond is scheduled for a 1 p.m. Central time start, the second game to follow approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion. The third game of the series will be held Monday at 1 p.m. The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).

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• April 20, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the history between Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State, a split in their final faceoff almost seemed fitting. The games on Tuesday seemed indicative of the team’s 17-year rivalry in the Ohio Valley Conference – outstanding pitching, clutch offense and late-inning heroics. Jacksonville State took game one 4-3, then the Golden Eagles claimed the nightcap 4-1.

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• April 19, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – By the time this week ends, the Tennessee Tech softball team will have faced two of its long-time Ohio Valley Conference rivals for the last time in regular-season play. On Tuesday, the Golden Eagles (17-20, 11-11 OVC) entertain Jacksonville State (16-19, 14-9 OVC) in a doubleheader, starting at 3 p.m. Dylan Vazzano will provide the call on ESPN+ (subscription required). This weekend, Tech will travel to Richmond, Ky., to take on Eastern Kentucky (27-11, 18-5 OVC).

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• April 18, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech’s battery was pushing it to the limit on Sunday, trying to do everything to close out the series against SIUE with a win. With the way Haeli Bryson pitched and catcher Raleigh Lewis came through, there’s definitely some thought that the Golden Eagles could be building some momentum entering the home stretch of the Ohio Valley Conference slate. Tech (17-20, 11-11 OVC) claimed the 3-1 victory on Sunday to take the series two games to one. The Golden Eagles return home Tuesday in a league doubleheader with Jacksonville State, starting at 3 p.m.

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• April 16, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech hasn’t had much luck on the home turf this season, posting a 1-7 record in Ohio Valley Conference play at the Tech Softball Field. On the road, the Golden Eagles are 8-3. But you have to look at it this way – Tech’s home opponents have included three of the top four teams in the conference this season in Southeast Missouri, Austin Peay and Eastern Illinois. Number five will be Jacksonville State who will come to town for a twinbill on Tuesday and has two of the Golden Eagles’ three road OVC losses from the previous meeting. Tech has an opportunity to reverse that trend this weekend as the Golden Eagles host SIUE for a three-game set, starting with a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. Sunday’s finale is also slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch. Admission to the games is free to the public, though masks are required for all fans in attendance and social distancing is in effect.

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• April 08, 2021

MURRAY, Ky. – It’s back into Ohio Valley Conference action on Friday as the Tennessee Tech softball team heads to Murray State for what proves to be an important series for both teams. Anticipated weather for this weekend changed the schedule to a doubleheader Friday starting at 1 p.m. and a single game on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. The games will be televised on ESPN+ (subscription required). Murray State enters the weekend with a 14-21 overall record, 11-8 in the OVC. The Racers have lost their last six games, which included a three-game sweep at Jacksonville State and a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday at Austin Peay.

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• April 05, 2021

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – It’s never easy to play on the road. It’s even tougher when you’re going in to face a ranked opponent. When the Tennessee Tech softball team heads to Knoxville on Tuesday to take on No. 21 Tennessee, the Golden Eagles know they’re going to be in for a battle. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. Central, with the second game following approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. The last week was not kind to Tech. After entering last week with five wins in their last six games, the Golden Eagles ran into challenging matchups on the road at Jacksonville State and at home with Austin Peay. They enter Tuesday’s contest with a six-game losing streak, dating back to the second contest against Eastern Illinois on March 26.

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• April 02, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay swept both ends of Friday’s softball doubleheader, topping Tennessee Tech 4-3 in game one, then taking advantage of several errors and 12 hits to run-rule the Golden Eagles 12-0 in five innings. The third game of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday. Game one went down to the final inning as the Golden Eagles got a runner in scoring position as Jessie Lowery advanced to second on a Haeli Bryson grounder to second, but a foul out and a grounder back to the circle ended the contest.

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• April 01, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Don’t be fooled by Austin Peay’s record in the Ohio Valley Conference. Even though the Governors hold on to an 8-6 record in league play, they have beaten some of the top teams in the conference. Austin Peay comes to town on Friday and Saturday for a three-game set – a doubleheader on Friday starting at 2 p.m., then a single game on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. Admission to the Tech Softball Field is free to the public. Social distancing is in effect and masks must be worn by all fans in accordance with Tech and Ohio Valley Conference COVID-19 protocols.

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• March 30, 2021

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The hits did not come when Tennessee Tech needed them on Tuesday as Jacksonville State capitalized with a four-run inning in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie to take game one 5-1, then two-hit the Golden Eagles in the nightcap for a 2-0 victory. The Golden Eagles fall to 13-14 overall, 7-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while Jacksonville State improved to 8-16, 7-7 in the league.

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• March 29, 2021

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – This has definitely not been a typical year for the Jacksonville State softball team. One of the Ohio Valley Conference’s perennial powers, the Gamecocks are spending their final season in the league standing below .500 on the year. JSU has won only one conference series thus far in the 2021 campaign, dropping Belmont in two of three contests. Since then, the Gamecocks (6-16, 5-7 OVC) have won just one game in their three-game sets against UT Martin, Eastern Kentucky and SIUE. As Tech heads to Jacksonville for the final time, but only the first doubleheader as JSU will make a return trip to Cookeville in April, the series evokes a rivalry between the two teams during their early years in the conference. The two teams square off Tuesday, starting at 3 p.m. The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).

• Article
• March 27, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – In game one, Tennessee Tech was the one putting runs on the board. In game two, Eastern Illinois answered in kind and more so. But as Friday came to a close, the Golden Eagles and the Panthers played to a split, Tech winning game one 6-4, Eastern Illinois the victor in the night cap 10-4. The rubber game of the series is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday morning, but inclement weather is in the forecast. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required). Alyssa Arden went the distance in the opener, collecting the complete-game victory. She finished the game just two strikeouts shy of tying her career high, striking out nine Panther batters in the win. She allowed four runs – only one earned – on four hits, while walking six. The effort gave Arden her seventh win of the year.

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• March 25, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With inclement weather this weekend, the Tennessee Tech softball team will move its series against Eastern Illinois up a day and try to beat out the rain. With the change, the Golden Eagles will entertain the Panthers on Friday in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m., then try to close out the series Saturday morning at 10 a.m. before more weather moves its way through. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Roger Ealey providing the commentary.

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• March 24, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – When Tennessee Tech faced Chattanooga the first two times this season, getting hits wasn’t the problem. Getting timely hits was. The Golden Eagles corrected that on Wednesday, topping the visiting Mocs 7-0, giving Michelle DePolo her first win at the Tech Softball Field.

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• March 23, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – When Tennessee Tech and Chattanooga take the field on Wednesday at the Tech Softball Field, it’ll be almost exactly a month since the two teams saw each other. For both teams, it will be an interesting contrast to see how the teams have improved. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Central. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano providing the call. Chattanooga comes into Cookeville with a 4-14 record – two of its victories come over the Golden Eagles, topping Tech 5-4 and 6-5 in a twinbill on February 25, then haven’t won a game since. The Mocs have lost 10 straight contests, including a three-game sweep last weekend at home against Marshall.

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• March 22, 2021

MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State certainly made it interesting in the late innings, but three insurance runs in the top of the seventh secured Tennessee Tech’s effort on Monday, topping the home Eagles 7-3. The victory gives the Golden Eagles their second Ohio Valley Conference sweep of the season as Tech evened its overall record at 11-11 and improved to 6-3 in the league. Alyssa Arden pitched through the first four frames and was responsible for two of Morehead State’s three runs in the fifth, with Haeli Bryson – the victor in both games on Sunday – yielding the other run in the frame, which provided all of the Eagles’ runs on the day.

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• March 21, 2021

MOREHEAD, Ky. – Haeli Bryson helped her own cause on Sunday as she hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie in game two, then pitched Tennessee Tech to victory, earning her second victory of the day as the Golden Eagles took both ends of the doubleheader at Morehead State. Tech (10-11, 5-3 Ohio Valley Conference) won game one 3-1, then claimed the 7-5 victory in the nightcap. In game one, Bryson went the distance, allowing just one run on two hits as she walked none and struck out five. In the second contest, she worked the final three innings, pitching hitless and scoreless ball as she yielded just one walk and struck out another to improve to 5-1 on the year.

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• March 19, 2021

MOREHEAD, Ky. – There aren’t many Ohio Valley Conference teams who have been around since the beginning of Tennessee Tech’s softball program – Austin Peay and Morehead State both sit on the inaugural varsity season’s schedule back in 1986. Since then, the series against the Eagles stands as the longest-running in Tech’s softball history with 110 games between the two teams in the 35 years since. The Golden Eagles lead the series 73-37 and have won six of the last 10. But when the two teams meet on Sunday – nearly two years to the date since last taking each other on, with the last meeting on March 24, 2019 – each team will have completely different looks.

• Article
• March 17, 2021

FLORENCE, Ala. – On the day, North Alabama only collected two hits off of Tennessee Tech starter Alyssa Arden. But the homestanding Lions still found ways to collect runs when they needed it as UNA defeated the Golden Eagles 4-3 on Tuesday, scoring the game-winning run in the fifth inning. Tech (8-11) return to action on Saturday as it travels to Morehead State for the first of three Ohio Valley Conference matchups. Arden went the distance in the game, allowing three earned runs on two hits, while striking out four. However, the strike zone wasn’t her friend on Tuesday, giving up six walks in the contest.

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• March 15, 2021

FLORENCE, Ala. – After a tough weekend against Southeast Missouri, the Tennessee Tech softball team will hit the road once again. This time, they’ll be heading to Florence, Ala., to take on North Alabama in a non-conference matchup. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

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• March 13, 2021

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Southeast Missouri wrapped up the sweep over the Tennessee Tech softball team on Saturday, but even though the results weren’t what the Golden Eagles wanted, there were still some positives on Saturday. In the series finale, Tech (8-10, 3-3 Ohio Valley Conference) saw its bats wake up late as well as some big defensive plays, but it wasn’t enough to come back from an early assault as the Redhawks (7-9, 5-1 OVC) took an 8-4 victory.

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• March 06, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – One weekend in the books for the Tennessee Tech softball team and the Golden Eagles are standing in first place in the Ohio Valley Conference. There’s still a long way to go in the 2021 campaign, but the Golden Eagles started things off on the right foot, earning a three-game sweep over Tennessee State. Tech (8-7 overall, 3-0 OVC) host Southeast Missouri next weekend, who went 2-1 in the first conference series against Austin Peay.

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• March 05, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech was able to get Michelle DePolo her first Ohio Valley Conference win on Friday, but Tennessee State made it interesting as the Tigers collected two runs and left the game-tying run on second in the bottom of the seventh. The Golden Eagles won the game 4-3 and improve their record to 6-7 on the season, 1-0 in the OVC.

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• March 04, 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It’s been a strange year for Tennessee Tech softball, but on Friday, the Golden Eagles will get to do one thing it didn’t get to last season – play an Ohio Valley Conference game. It’ll be the conference debut for second-year head coach Michelle DePolo and her Golden Eagle squad as Tech travels to Tennessee State for a three-game set, starting on Friday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, a doubleheader on the latter day.

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• February 28, 2021

ROCK HILL, S.C. – A long week with eight games came to a close for Tennessee Tech as the Golden Eagles split its action on Sunday. Tech’s bats came alive in the day’s first game, run-ruling Illinois-Chicago 9-1 in six innings. Host Winthrop closed out the Garnet/Gold Classic with a 3-2 win over Tech. The Golden Eagles see their record change to 5-7 overall. Up next for Tech is a three-game set at Tennessee State to open Ohio Valley Conference play. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

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• February 26, 2021

ROCK HILL, S.C. – A whirlwind week for the Tennessee Tech softball team continues this weekend as the Golden Eagles add four games, joining the in-progress Garnet/Gold Classic at Winthrop. Tech (4-4) hits the road Friday afternoon to head down to South Carolina. The Golden Eagles will face St. Francis at 9 a.m. Saturday, then take on Mount St. Mary’s at 11:30 a.m., both games on the host’s Terry Field. On Sunday, Tech takes on Illinois-Chicago at 8:30 a.m., then take on the host Eagles at 10:45 a.m. back on Terry Field.

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• February 24, 2021

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – It’s just the beginning of a potentially busy week for the Tennessee Tech softball team as the Golden Eagles went into Johnson City and scratched out a split with the home Bucs, falling in game one 3-2, then bringing out the guns for game two in a 6-3 victory. But the week is far from over yet as the Tech softball team completed the addition of a Thursday doubleheader at Chattanooga after this weekend’s Frost Classic was wiped out with the projected forecast. The Golden Eagles are also exploring the addition of games this weekend, details of which will be announced when available.

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• February 14, 2021

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Western Carolina and Alabama State both took early leads on the Tennessee Tech softball team on Saturday, but by the time the games were finished, the Golden Eagles found their way on top. After a tough first day being held to three hits, Tech collected 14 hits in the second day of the Stinger Classic, earning a 2-1 win over Western Carolina in the day’s first action, then a 5-1 victory over host Alabama State. Weather permitting, the Golden Eagles (2-1) will take on Western Carolina again at 11:30 a.m., followed by a rematch with North Alabama at 2 p.m.

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• February 14, 2021

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Patience at the plate paid off dividends for the Tennessee Tech softball team on Sunday as the Golden Eagles took advantage of nine walks and some timely hitting to post a 9-2 victory over Western Carolina. Tech finished the weekend with a 3-1 record as the Golden Eagles return home this week for a three-game set with East Tennessee State, weather permitting, on Friday and Saturday. First pitch on Friday at the Tech Softball Field is slated for 3 p.m.

• Article
• February 11, 2021

UPDATE: 7:24 p.m. 2/11 -- With a change in scheduling and the addition of Alabama to the tournament field, the games this weekend have changed. Here is Tech's revised schedule for the tournament as of now:  2/12 | TTU vs. North Alabama | Noon 2/13 | TTU vs. Western Carolina | 2 p.m. 2/13 | TTU vs. Alabama State | 7 p.m. 2/14 | TTU vs. Western Carolina | 11:30 a.m. 2/14 | TTU vs. North Alabama | 2 p.m. Schedule is subject to change with potential inclement weather in the forecast.