Skyhawks top Tech in lightning-delayed marathon
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – In between two lightning delays for nearly three-and-a-half hours, the Tennessee Tech softball team battled back and forth with UT Martin on Saturday, but the Skyhawks claimed the lead in the top of the sixth and didn’t relinquish it, taking a 7-5 victory in the series opener. With the delays, Saturday’s scheduled second game now becomes game one of a Senior Day doubleheader on Sunday, starting at noon. Both games will be broadcasted on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call. The Senior Day presentation will follow the second game.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 |
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3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 1 |
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – In between two lightning delays for nearly three-and-a-half hours, the Tennessee Tech softball team battled back and forth with UT Martin on Saturday, but the Skyhawks claimed the lead in the top of the sixth and didn't relinquish it, taking a 7-5 victory in the series opener.
With the delays, Saturday's scheduled second game now becomes game one of a Senior Day doubleheader on Sunday, starting at noon. Both games will be broadcasted on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call. The Senior Day presentation will follow the second game.
Makayli Harris drove in four runs as she was 2-for-4, while Jailynn Paderez went 3-for-3 at the plate. Abbee Klinefelter (2-for-3) also had a multi-hit contest.
Kyla Harvey, Carly Ward and Ava Scott all had two hits for the Skyhawks (29-18, 16-5 OVC), while Kennedy and Kyrsten Brown both drove in two runs.
Addison Abell was tagged for five runs on four hits and two walks with a strikeout, but was off the hook as the Golden Eagles tied the game at five runs each. Faith Rush pitched a solid four frames in relief, but was tagged with the loss after allowing the two go-ahead runs on three hits and four walks. Ella Wampler threw the final inning and two-thirds, walking two and allowing three hits.
UTM starter Ashtyn Green pitched the first four frames, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out one. Natalie Kreuziger earned the victory, yielding just two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over the last three innings.
The Skyhawks scored two runs in the first as the Browns hit back-to-back fielder's choices for RBIs, driving in Karena Recrosio on the first and Harvey on the second. The Golden Eagles responded in the bottom half of the inning as Klinefelter drove in Olivia Evans with a sacrifice fly, then Harris drove in Paderez and Ashley Capelouto with a single to shallow center field.
UTM then scored three in the second as Jordyn Hustey scored on a wild pitch, then Kyrsten Brown's RBI single plated Dylan Scott and another wild pitch sent Harvey home to roost.
Things went quiet until a lightning delay halted the game with one down in the top of the fifth. Tech got out of the inning with no damage, then tied the game once more in the bottom half of the inning after Klinefelter led off with a single, then Harris launched a home run to left field, tying the game at five.
The Skyhawks claimed the go-ahead runs in the top of the sixth as Kennedy Brown singled home Kyla Harvey, then Ava Scott drove in Kyrsten Brown.
