By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
CLINTON, S.C. – After opening its home slate last weekend, it's back on the road again for the Tennessee Tech softball team as they head to South Carolina to close out their Spring Break with a visit to Presbyterian College on Saturday and Sunday.
Tech will play a three-game series against the Blue Hose, starting with an 11-1 doubleheader on Saturday, then a single game on Sunday.
There is a chance of inclement weather this weekend, which prompted the schedule change on Saturday, pushing the two games up an hour.
Presbyterian enters the weekend with a 1-17 record, an 11-game losing streak in tow. The Blue Hose's last – and only win thus far – came on Feb. 17 against Iona with a 10-5 victory.
PC's top scoring threat has come from Meg Anderson, who has driven in a team-high seven RBI, despite batting .189 on the season. Their top batter, Jonnie Petree, has a .316 average with one RBI. As a team, the Blue Hose is hitting .197 with three home runs and 26 RBI. Their opponents are hitting .316 with 19 homers and 91 RBI collected.
In the circle, their combined staff holds a 5.95 earned run average with 50 walks and 62 strikeouts. Kaylee Allen, the workhorse of the staff, has a 0-9 record and a 6.20 ERA in 49 2/3 innings of work. Alex Cook (0-4, 4.38 ERA) has worked 32 innings, while Cam Alverson has the lone win, compiling a 4.08 ERA.
In contrast, Tech is batting .267 as a team with 12 home runs and 72 RBI, while opponents are hitting .340 with 18 homers and 126 RBI.
Raegan Sparks is leading the Golden Eagles at the plate with team-high batting average (.404), home run (five), RBI (16) and total base (38) counts, while Bayli Cruse (.286) is close behind with 15 RBI. Callen Griffin has also hit three home runs this season, matching Presbyterian's total for the season.
In the circle, Taylor Waldrop (2-6, 5.98 ERA) leads the Golden Eagles, with Kayla Hughes (1-2, 10.69 ERA) picking up her first win last weekend against Samford, as well as Leigh Ellen Thomas (1-5, 17.69 ERA) available to pitch.
Photo by Jim Dillon