By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

OXFORD, Ala. – Danielle Liberatore wasn't going to give up.

As a senior heading into her final showing in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament at Choccolocco Park, Liberatore put forward the best effort she could on Wednesday afternoon.

Unfortunately, UT Martin wasn't going to let the Golden Eagles' bats wake up.

A home run from Jamie Duncan in the second inning was all that the Skyhawks needed as Brooke Kennedy shut out Tech 1-0 in the opening round of the tournament.

The Golden Eagles (16-29) return to action on Thursday in an elimination game, facing No. 6-seed Eastern Kentucky at 10 a.m.

Kennedy (21-5) went the distance for UTM, allowing just two hits and a walk to the Golden Eagles as she struck out eight.

However, Liberatore (8-10) had a solid outing of her own, yielding four hits and three walks as she struck out four and gave up just the solo home run in the second inning.

Gabby LaSala and Kelly Kennedy were the only Tech players to muster a hit in the contest, while all-OVC first-teamer Alyssa Richards drew a walk in the opening inning.

The Skyhawks advance to play SIU Edwardsville in the 12:30 p.m. contest on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles look to stave off elimination as they take on the Colonels. Tech faced Eastern Kentucky on April 29, dropping both ends of a doubleheader, falling 3-2 in 10 innings, then 8-3 in the nightcap.

Liberatore worked 9 1/3 innings before allowing the walk-off double to Paige Murphy – her third hit of the game – which scored Rachel Minogue. She allowed 11 hits and walked two as she struck out nine in the loss. Tech hit .231 against the Colonels as the Golden Eagles collected 15 hits and four walks. The Colonels, however, hit .373 with 11 runs scored and 25 total hits in two games.

Live stats will be available on TTUsports.com and OVCsports.com, while live video will be available on the OVC Digital Network and the game will also be carried on the radio on 106.1 The Eagle with Dylan Vazzano providing play-by-play coverage. Fans can also follow along with the action on the team's Twitter feed -- @TTU_Softball.

Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information