Posted: Feb 18, 2011
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team won one and lost one during its first day of the Sleep Inn Classic Friday. The Golden Eagles earned their first win of the season as they downed Centenary, but took their third one-run loss of the season against Nebraska.
Tech began the day with a 9-0, five-inning victory over Centenary that was punctuated by a stellar performance from Holly Thomas in the circle.
In five innings of work, Thomas struck out nine batters, while only giving two hits and two walks, throwing 86 pitches. This is her first shutout of the season.
At the plate, the Golden Eagles busted things open in the second inning as the Golden Eagles put up a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead. The scoring continued in the third as Tech put together three more runs on three hits and a Centenary error to increase its lead to 5-0
The offensive onslaught continued in the fourth as senior Kaleigh Gates hit a two-run double to right center field to make it a 7-0 ball game. The Golden Eagles scored two more runs on a fielder's choice and Centenary's third error of the game.
Three Golden Eagles tallied two hits in the game including sophomore Melody Christian, and juniors Brooke Basten and Jordan Leff, while senior Lacie Coquerille coaxed three walks and scored two runs.
Against Nebraska, Tech came out strong early on building a three-run lead after the top of the third inning. Nebraska was able to get one run back in the bottom of the third and took the lead during a three-run fifth inning.
Ashley Hageman earned her fifth win of the season for the Huskers, pitching 4.1 innings, giving up just one hit and four walks, while striking out five. Sophomore Claudia Harke was saddled with the loss as she surrendered three runs, two earned, in 2.2 innings pitched.
Coquerille and senior Callie Schmidt each drove in a run for Tech, with Schmidt posting one hit and two walks.
Tech continues play in the Sleep Inn Classic Saturday as it takes on Northwestern State and North Texas. The first pitches are scheduled for 3:00 and 5:30 p.m.
