Late Tech rally falls short vs. Austin Peay
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay surged out to a big lead early, but the Tennessee Tech softball team made a run in the late innings to get back within reach. The Golden Eagles made it close, but the Governors escaped with a 9-6 victory on Wednesday. Tech (6-18) returns to action on Saturday as it hosts Lindenwood in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series this weekend.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
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1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 1 |
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0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 |
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay surged out to a big lead early, but the Tennessee Tech softball team made a run in the late innings to get back within reach. The Golden Eagles made it close, but the Governors escaped with a 9-6 victory on Wednesday.
Tech (6-18) returns to action on Saturday as it hosts Lindenwood in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series this weekend.
Ashley Capelouto continued her offensive production as she went 1-for-3 at the plate with a three-run home run to give her five home runs over the last week.
Emily York took the tough luck loss as she allowed four runs on three hits in the first two innings, striking out two. Lainey Fitzgerald faced two batters and gave up two runs before an injury ended her day. Addison Abell pitched the next three innings, allowing three runs – one earned – on four hits as she walked one and struck out two. Faith Rush threw the final two innings as she walked three and struck out two.
Mimi Blackledge earned the win in relief as she was the most effective after starter Emma Thompson did not go the required number of innings to qualify for the win. Blackledge claimed her first win of the season as she allowed an unearned run over the final 2 1/3 innings, yielding one hit and two walks.
Austin Peay scored first in the opening frame as Brie Howard hit a solo home run to left field. The Govs added on in the second as Ashlyn Graklanoff hit a two-run double to left center and Emilee Baker hit a single to almost the same spot to add a three-spot to the scoreboard.
In the third, Katie Raper extended the Austin Peay lead with a two-run home run to left field.
Tech put its first two runs on the board in the bottom of the third as Julie Martin and Skylar Gooden executed a double steal to perfection as Gooden swiped home on the plate. Olivia Evans walked, then a double play erased Martin at third, but Jailynn Paderez singled Evans home for the second run.
In the fourth, Baker laid down a bunt, but the throw to first sailed into the outfield, allowing both Baker and base runner Graklanoff to score on the play. The Govs then scored a run in the fifth inning as Nadia Glass picked up an RBI single.
Tech put three runs on the board in the fifth as Martin led off with a single, Paderez walked, then Capelouto hit a three-run blast to left center to make it a 9-5 game. The Golden Eagles kept the Govs scoreless in the sixth, then Tech added a run in the bottom half as Ella Wampler drove in Bella Ochoa with a single to center field.
Capelouto drew a four-pitch walk with one down in the bottom of the seventh, putting the game-tying run on deck, but a fielder's choice followed by a grounder to third ended the contest.
Baker and Graklanoff both led APSU (18-11) with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate with Graklanoff and Raper each driving in two runs.
Photo | Jim Dillon
