Posted: Mar 27, 2011
MURRAY, Ky. – Despite the weather, the Tennessee Tech softball team was able to get in a pair of games as it split with the Murray State Racers. Tech took the first game 18-11, while losing the second game in five innings 8-0.
A combined total of 29 runs were scored in the opening game of the doubleheader, on 29 hits, which included a pair of home runs from each team.
This is third time Tech and its opponent have combined for 29 runs in a game with the first time coming in 1990 against Tennessee Wesleyan (W, 26-3), and the last time coming in 2007 against Alabama in the NCAA Tournament (L, 19-10).
Murray State was able to jump out in front early, on a four-run first inning, only to see Tech responded quickly with one of its three five-run innings in the game in the top of the second. The Golden Eagles used four hits, including a two-run double from Brittney Spalding, to take the lead at 5-4.
The Racers tied it back up in third on an RBI single, but the top of the fourth saw Tech put together another five-run inning, that was spurred on by Lacie Coquerille's grand slam, to put the Golden Eagles up 10-5.
The bottom of the sixth saw Murray State pull back within two at 13-11, but the Golden Eagles put up its final five-run inning of the game using five hits and one Racer error to help seal the game for Tech at 18-11.
Coquerille and Whitney Cummings each went yard for the Golden Eagles, as they paced the TTU offense with four RBI each. Melody Christian wreaked havoc on the Murray State pitchers as she recorded two hits and four walks in six plate appearances, while scoring three runs and stealing two bases.
Holly Thomas earned the win, to improve to 10-4 on the season, while Murray State's Chelsea Sullivan took the loss as she fell to 3-10.
Game two of the day's doubleheader saw the Racer bats gain a measure of revenge as they scored eight runs, on seven hits, including a pair solo home runs in Murray State's four-run first inning.
Shelby Kosmecki pitched a five-inning shutout for the Racers as she gave up just one hit and a walk, to earn her second win of the season. Claudia Harke took the loss for Tech as she fell to 0-3 on the season.
The Golden Eagles (14-12, 5-5 OVC) continue conference play on the road Wednesday, as they take part in a doubleheader against Jacksonville State. The opening pitch of the first game is set for 3 p.m.
