By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
STILLWATER, Okla. – The Tennessee Tech softball team took Abilene Christian into extra innings, then took a tough loss to Northern Iowa on Friday to open play in the Mizuno Classic at Oklahoma State.
Abilene Christian took a 5-4 decision in the bottom of the ninth inning as Tori Poullard hit a walkoff double to drive in Brianna Barnhill.
The Golden Eagles had three home runs in the contest as Gabby LaSala and Kelly Kennedy each hit home runs in the top of the fourth, then, with the game knotted at 2-all, Raegan Sparks hit a two-run blast in the eighth inning, before ACU tied the game once again in the bottom half of the frame.
Danielle Liberatore went the distance, throwing 8 2/3 innings as she allowed five runs – three earned – as she walked four and struck out 12. Of her 156 pitches thrown, 97 were strikes.
In the nightcap, Tech mustered three hits, but committed four errors as the Golden Eagles fell 5-1.
Kennedy had two hits for the Golden Eagles, while Aalia Bivens collected the other safety.
UNI (8-6) collected eight hits.
Leigh Ellen Thomas was credited with the loss, allowing one earned run among the five scored on eight hits, walking none and striking out one in six complete frames of work.
The Golden Eagles return to action again on Saturday as Tech (4-12) faces Northern Iowa again at 11 a.m., then takes on host Oklahoma State at 4 p.m.
Photo by A.J. Henderson, Georgia Southern
