By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
RICHMOND, Ky. -- Late efforts by Eastern Kentucky spoiled Tennessee Tech's try at an Ohio Valley Conference win on Saturday as the Colonels took both ends of the twinbill, beating the Golden Eagles 3-2 in 10 innings in game one, then won 8-3 in game two.
Danielle Liberatore (7-9) took the loss in the opener as she allowed three runs on 11 hits in 9 1/3 innings of work, walking two and striking out nine.
The Colonels (22-26, 9-7 OVC) got the walkoff run as Paige Murphy collected her third hit of the game, driving in Rachel Minogue with a one-out double to left.
Tech led the contest 2-0 in the fifth before EKU tied the game with two runs in the home half. The Golden Eagles scored first in the second inning as Alyssa Richards hit a solo home run down the left field line to lead off the inning, then Kelly Kennedy did the same in the fifth, shifting the long ball over the left center field wall.
EKU tied the game in the bottom half as Minogue hit a two-run single up the middle.
Tech (15-27, 7-7 OVC) was only able to pull together six hits, two each coming from Richards and Gabby Perez.
Mollie Paulick earned the win in relief, working the final 4 1/3 innings as she walked three, struck out six and yielded one hit.
The Golden Eagle bats connected better in game two, collecting nine hits, with Leigh Ellen Thomas, Aalia Bivens and Bayli Cruse each getting two hits in the contest, but Tech was scoreless until tying the game with three runs in the sixth inning. Richards hit a one-out single to right center, then Gabby LaSala launched a shot to left field for a two-run home run. Bivens followed with a single down the left field line, then Cruse drew a walk. Hallie Davis plated the third run, sending Bivens home on a double down the third base line.
However, EKU retook the lead with a five-run effort in the sixth as Brittany Oldaker led off with a home run, Johnkyria Alston hit a two-run single through the left side, then Paige Murphy went the other way for a two-run single.
Thomas (6-12) took the loss, allowing 13 hits and eight runs in 5 2/3 innings of work as she walked three and struck out two. Tayor Waldrop pitched the final 1/3, allowing one hit.
Alex Sallberg earned the win in relief, throwing 1 2/3 innings in the second game as she struck out one.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Sunday for their final road games of the regular season with a doubleheader at Morehead State, starting at noon.
