STILLWATER, Okla. – The Tennessee Tech softball team made some great strides last week at the South Alabama Invitational, and could make many more this week against some tough competition as the Golden Eagles compete in the Mizuno Classic, starting on Friday.

 

Tech will face Abilene Christian and Northern Iowa on Friday, then see the Panthers again to open Saturday's play before facing Oklahoma State that afternoon. The Golden Eagles wrap up the tournament on Sunday as they take on Abilene Christian once again.

 

Abilene Christian has a 7-9 record entering the Mizuno Classic, with a 5-3 loss to the University of Northern Colorado snapping a four-game winning streak at last week's Wildcat Tournament in Abilene, Texas.

 

Peyton Hedrick (.362) and Brianna Barnhill (.294) each have 13 RBIs to lead the Wildcats at the plate, while Sidney Holman (4-2, 2.27 ERA) and Hannah Null (2.85 ERA) have recorded victories for ACU.

 

Northern Iowa comes into the weekend with a 7-6 record, but has lost its last three games – a 2-1 loss to Sam Houston State, an 8-0 shutout at the hands of Louisiana Tech and a 6-2 loss to McNeese State at last week's Louisiana Tech Classic.

 

Bailey Lange leads UNI offensively with a .364 average and 10 RBIs. Alyssa Buchanan (3-1, 2.48 ERA) and Lange (3-4, 2.68 ERA) have been leading the Panthers in the circle.

 

Oklahoma State has an 8-7 record before today's game against Arkansas. The Cowgirls defeated New Mexico State 7-4 in their last game after dropping a 9-1 decision to California and a 17-5 contest against San Diego State at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.

 

OSU is led offensively by Vanessa Shippy (.405), Taylor Lynch (12 RBIs) and Rylee Bayless (10 runs scored). In the circle, Brandi Needham (5-2, 1.82 ERA) has been the Cowgirls' top performer in the circle.

 

Meanwhile, Gabby Perez (.367) and Hallie Davis (.293, 10 RBI, 4 HR) have led the Golden Eagles (4-10) at the plate, while Taylor Waldrop (1-1, 3.35 ERA), Danielle Liberatore (2-4, 4.24 ERA) and Leigh Ellen Thomas (1-5, 5.75 ERA) have recorded wins.

 

Tech went 3-2 last week at the South Alabama Invitational, claiming two wins over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and a victory over Stephen F. Austin.

 

Fans can follow along with live stats via tournament host Oklahoma State and also through the team's Twitter feed -- @TTU_Softball.