By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
STATESBORO, Ga. – Hallie Davis didn't take long to make an impact with the Tennessee Tech softball team as the sophomore transfer struck for three home runs on Saturday to lead the Golden Eagles' efforts.
However, the runs just weren't enough as Tech saw Middle Tennessee hit an extra-inning walkoff in the eighth inning for a 5-3 win, then Georgia Southern edged the Golden Eagles 8-7 in the afternoon contest on Saturday.
Tech (0-4) concludes its run in the Eagle Round Robin with a second bout with Middle Tennessee at 9 a.m. Sunday.
All three of Tech's runs against the Blue Raiders came from home runs as the newcomer Davis homered twice, once in the fourth, then again in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game at three runs each. Alyssa Richards also hit a solo shot in the fourth inning
But MTSU broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth as Lexi Cushing hit a walk-off two-run homer to close out the contest.
Taylor Waldrop took the loss for the Golden Eagles, allowing five runs – two earned – on seven hits, allowing two walks and striking out three.
Against the homestanding Eagles, Tech yielded eight runs on nine hits as Danielle Liberatore worked six complete innings, allowing six walks and striking out four.
Jessie Lowery and Davis each drove in two runs in the game, while Richards also had an RBI.
Tech struck first in the opening frame, scoring three runs. Lowery reached on a wild pitch on a third strike, then stole second and took third on a Gabby Perez bunt single. Perez then stole second with a throwing error allowing Lowery to score.
An error on a ball hit by Davis gave Perez room to score, then Richards hit an RBI double to center field to score David.
Georgia Southern took a 5-3 lead after three, then Tech added a single run in the fourth and fifth innings. A Lowery RBI grounder back to the circle allowed Sarah Freels to score in the fourth, then Davis hit her third home run of the day to lead off the fifth.
Tech took a 7-6 lead in the top of the sixth as Lowery hit an RBI single to the circle, allowing Callen Griffin to score, then Demi Coleman came home on a wild pitch.
The Golden Eagles' lead was short-lived though as Georgia Southern's Emily Snider hit a two-run go-ahead homer in the bottom of the sixth, then was able to hold on in the seventh.
Photo by A.J. Henderson, Georgia Southern
