By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports
Information Coordinator
KENNESAW, Ga. – What was originally scheduled to be the Tennessee Tech softball team's second tournament of the year, has now been changed to a three-game series at Kennesaw State this weekend. The Golden Eagles (0-5) and Owls (2-2) will open up the three-game set with a doubleheader on Saturday at noon and 2 p.m., before closing things out on Sunday at noon.
The weekend was initially reserved for the 2014 Phyllis Rafter Memorial hosted by Kennesaw State, with Tech slated to play Southeastern Louisiana and Northern Kentucky on Saturday, and Akron and Kennesaw State on Sunday. The seven-team tournament was forced into cancellation due to severe weather in the Georgia area over the last few days.
The Golden Eagles will be searching for their first win of the season after dropping all five contests last weekend in the Plainsman Invite hosted by Auburn. TTU began the tournament in promising fashion after erasing a three-run sixth inning deficit to take a 6-5 lead against Louisiana-Monroe last Friday, but Tech was unable to hold onto the lead, falling 9-6.
The Golden Eagles proceeded to drop the next four to Notre Dame, North Dakota State, Auburn, and once again to Louisiana-Monroe.
Despite the tough start, sophomore Olivia Bennett shined over the weekend, hitting .385 with two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored. Junior Angi Sakamoto also produced offensively, mirroring Bennett's power numbers with two long balls and three runs driven in, as well.
The Owls enter the series after splitting their quartet of games in the Troy Subway Invitational last weekend, the team's first tilts of the year, as well. The tournament proved to be either feast or famine for Kennesaw State, as the Owls combined for 18 runs in their two wins against Middle Tennessee and Memphis, but were blanked in their two losses to Alabama and Troy.
Five KSU players enter this weekend hitting above .300, including sophomore Courtney Sutter who has shown good power numbers with three doubles, a home run and a team-leading seven RBI.
The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series with Kennesaw, 8-5, but were tripped up in last year's battle, 3-0 on Feb. 17. Then a junior, the Owls' Amanda Henderson tossed a complete game shutout, scattering five hits and striking out nine to pick up the win.