Posted: Apr 28, 2017
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team closes out the road portion of its regular-season schedule this weekend as the Golden Eagles head to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday and Morehead State on Sunday.
Tech (15-25, 7-5 Ohio Valley Conference) hasn't played a game since April 19 as last weekend's games against SIU Edwardsville and Eastern Illinois were cancelled with inclement weather. Following the weather woes, the Golden Eagles now see their standing in the OVC in sixth place out of eight teams that make the conference tournament in two weeks.
Jacksonville State (13-1) maintains a lead in the conference race, followed by EIU (9-3) and SIUE (10-4) in the top three, and UT Martin (9-4) and Murray State (9-5) rounding out the top five. Eastern Kentucky (7-7) and Belmont (6-9) are currently holding on to the last two spots, with Morehead State (5-9), Southeast Missouri (4-12), Austin Peay (4-12) and Tennessee State (2-14) trying to make a late push.
As a team, the Colonels (20-26) are hitting .301 and have outscored their opponents 222-206. Rachel Minogue leads the team with a .421 average, scoring 30 runs, collecting 59 hits – including 15 doubles and four home runs – and has driven in 41 runs. The only player to drive in more on the team is Johnkyria Alston with 42.
In the circle, Mollie Paulick (10-9, 2.61 ERA) and Alex Sallberg (7-13, 3.31 ERA) will be their top two options. The pair have combined for 87 walks and 198 strikeouts.
The Eagles (25-19) are batting .266 as a team and have outscored their foes 169-150. Allison Rager leads the team with a .414 average and a team-high 37 RBI, while Robyn Leighton leads the team with 12 home runs.
In the circle, Chelsea McManaway (15-8, 1.67 ERA) and Megan Tymorek (5-7, 3.12 ERA) leads MSU and will possibly be the two starters on Sunday.
For the Golden Eagles, Aalia Bivens leads the team in batting average with a .310 clip, seven home runs and 14 RBI. Alyssa Richards (.274) has a team-high 20 RBI, while Kelly Kennedy also has seven home runs.
As a team, Tech is hitting .235 with 40 home runs, but has been outscored 189-139.
Danielle Liberatore leads the Golden Eagles in the circle, posting a 7-8 record with a 3.24 ERA as she has walked 54 and struck out 140 batters, with opponents hitting .252. Leigh Ellen Thomas (6-11, 4.23 ERA) will possibly be the game two starter.
Fans can follow along with live stats and through the team's Twitter feed -- @TTU_Softball.