By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—After 18 games over four tournaments on the road, followed by three games at a home tournament, the Tennessee Tech softball team (6-15) is ready to begin head-to-head series games, opening on Tuesday with a doubleheader against Bradley University at the Tech Softball Field.
The Braves travel to Cookeville with a 5-12 overall record, headed by Amy Hayes who returns to the helm of the Bradley program for her seventh season. Hayes led the Braves to their first two NCAA Tournament appearances in school history.
Junior outfield Kelly Kapp leads Bradley with a .579 batting average on the season. So far this year, Kapp has recorded 33 hits and 17 runs off of 57 at-bats, while stealing 12 bases and only being caught once. Alyson Clemente serves as a power hitter for the Braves leading Bradley with a .625 slugging percentage. Clemente (.286) has notched 16-RBI, four home runs, one triple, and three doubles on the season. Jaelen Hull (1-5) leads the Braves in the circle holding a 3.59 ERA, while pitching three saves over 50.2 innings and recording 31 strikeouts.
The Golden Eagles host Bradley after going 1-2 on the weekend at their Tech Softball Tournament. The Golden Eagles twice fell to Kennesaw State, but saw victory over East Tennessee State 6-3 in their Saturday contest.
Bayli Cruse currently leads Tech at the plate, batting .262 with a .431 slugging percentage. Cruse has recorded eight-RBI, one home run, eight doubles, 17 hits, and nine runs off of her 65 at-bats, while stealing one base. Tech's power hitter at the plate is found in junior Alyssa Richards. Richards (.246) leads the Golden Eagles with a .439 slugging percentage, recording 12-RBI, three home runs, and two doubles so far this year. Danielle Liberatore (3-7) is a key pitcher for the Tech team. Liberatore has pitched one shutout over her 12 appearances thus far this season, pitching three complete games. She has pitched 44.1 innings on the season, recording 65 strikeouts and allowing 38 walks.
The Golden Eagles and Braves will kickoff their doubleheader Tuesday at 4 p.m. followed by a game at 6 p.m. You can follow Tech softball online on the TTU Sports Facebook page or on Twitter at @TTU_Softball and @TTUGoldenEagles.
