By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
KENNESAW, Ga. -- The power continued to come through for the Tennessee Tech softball team on Saturday as the Golden Eagles struck for five home runs as Tech defeated East Tennessee State 4-1, then stunned Michigan State with a 10-8 victory following a walk-off grand slam from Callen Griffin.
Tech hit four round-trippers alone in the Michigan State contest, coming through in every clutch situation.
It is Tech's first win against a Big Ten opponent since 2007, but the first win against a power-five conference opponent since 2011.
The Golden Eagles (7-15) was able to collect nine hits on the Spartans, but the biggest ones came in the bottom of the seventh as Tech scored five runs to overcome an 8-5 deficit.
Sarah Freels drove in Demi Coleman with a groundout back to the circle, but with Bayli Cruse, Hallie Davis and Alyssa Richards on base and Callie Griffin facing a full count, the slugger blasted a shot over left field to give Tech the victory.
Danielle Liberatore, in the start, allowed three earned runs on three hits as she walked four and struck out five in three frames of work. Taylor Waldrop came on in relief, throwing the next 2 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Kayla Hughes was the final Tech pitcher and was the pitcher of record when the Golden Eagles went ahead, earning the victory as she allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings in the circle.
In the contest, Aalia Bivens, Richards, Cruse and Griffin each hit home runs. Griffin led Tech with four RBI, while Richards had three. Richards also went 3-for-4, while Bivens was 2-for-3.
In the day's opener against East Tennessee, the Golden Eagles collected four runs on nine hits as Freels and Cruse each went 2-for-3. Bivens also hit a home run in that contest. Bivens, Kennedy and Freels each drove in runs.
Leigh Ellen Thomas (3-7) picked up the win, going the distance as she allowed one run on six hits, walking three and striking out three.
All of the scoring was in the first inning as ETSU (8-13) scored a single run in the first, then the Golden Eagles struck for four in the bottom of the inning. Bivens hit a homer to left center, then Gabby Perez scored on a throwing error. Kennedy drilled an RBI double down the left field line to score Gabby LaSala, then a Freels single to right brought in Davis.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Sunday morning to close out action in the Owl Challenge with a rematch against Michigan State at 9 a.m., then a contest afterward against host Kennesaw State at 11:30 a.m.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
