Tech Softball looks to lock down seeding and close out regular season on high note at SEMO
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – It’s down to the final weekend of Ohio Valley Conference play in softball and the Tennessee Tech squad are entering the weekend looking for improving their seeding in next week’s tournament in Peoria, Ill. The Golden Eagles (16-30, 11-13 OVC) take on Southeast Missouri on Friday and Saturday to close out the regular season. As it stands before the series’ first pitch, Tech is sixth in the conference standings, roughly two games behind the Redhawks (17-28, 13-10 OVC) with one fewer game played.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
|
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2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | X | 9 | 13 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final (9) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
|
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0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | X | 2 | 6 | 1 |
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – It's down to the final weekend of Ohio Valley Conference play in softball and the Tennessee Tech squad are entering the weekend looking for improving their seeding in next week's tournament in Peoria, Ill.
The Golden Eagles (16-30, 11-13 OVC) take on Southeast Missouri on Friday and Saturday to close out the regular season. As it stands before the series' first pitch, Tech is sixth in the conference standings, roughly two games behind the Redhawks (17-28, 13-10 OVC) with one fewer game played.
With a sweep, Tech could climb as high as fourth if Lindenwood (14-10 OVC) were to be swept by Morehead State. However, the Golden Eagles cannot fall out of the tournament field as ninth-place MSU stands four games back and Tennessee State nine games back. Even if the Golden Eagles lose all three, the best MSU can stand is 9-18 and Tennessee State 5-22.
That said, Southern Indiana (10-14 OVC) is one game behind the Golden Eagles and Western Illinois (8-15 OVC) two games and percentage points behind with one fewer game played, meaning Tech will be fighting to improve their tournament seeding in addition to trying to close out the regular season on a high note.
The Redhawks won their last series, sweeping Morehead State on the road 9-2, 8-3 and 12-3 in six innings. That series broke a six-game skid after winning the first two contests against conference leader Eastern Illinois.
As a team, SEMO is batting .267, collecting 74 extra-base hits – 47 doubles, three triples and 24 home runs – while scoring 190 runs with 171 RBI. Kamden Hutton (.354) leads the team in average with a team-best 24 runs scored, while Madison Winkler (.338) has the most RBI with 26 and stolen bases with 10. Raigan Blagoue (.292) has the most home runs with five.
In the circle, the Redhawks have a 5.22 ERA with opponents hitting .311, walking 184 and striking out 169. Maddie Carney (5.27 ERA) has the most wins with five, while Willow Van Haren (4.69 ERA) and Elliott Stinson (5.18 ERA) both have a 4-7 record. Van Haren also has a team-best 64 strikeouts.
Tech went 4-11 in the month of April, so the Golden Eagles are looking to start the new month and the postseason off right in these final three games of the regular season.
As a team, Tech is hitting .275 with 92 extra-base hits – 59 doubles, nine triples and 24 home runs – while scoring 209 runs with 184 RBI. Jailynn Paderez leads the team in average with a .402 clip, scoring 15 times with three home runs and 28 RBI. Ashley Capelouto (.350) has 24 runs scored, 11 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 39 RBI. Makayli Harris (.300) is catching up on the home runs with seven, along with 26 RBI. Sofia Carroll (.322) has driven in 22.
In the circle, the Golden Eagles have a 4.71 ERA with opponents hitting .312 and 154 walks to 164 strikeouts. Faith Rush (3-4) leads the team in ERA with a 3.85 over 63 2/3 innings, while Addison Abell (3-4) has a 4.61 over 76 frames. Emily York (4.81 ERA) leads the team in wins with eight, as well as strikeouts with 73.
The Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championships are next week in Peoria, Ill., at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
Photo | Jim Dillon
