By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team earned a walk-off win on Sunday over Eastern Michigan, then attempted to rally against home-standing Memphis in the final day of the Memphis Tiger Classic, collecting a split as the Golden Eagles return home.

The Golden Eagles beat Eastern Michigan 5-4, then fell 5-1 to Memphis.

In the opening game Sunday, Tech saw Eastern Michigan collect a 4-0 lead through five innings, but Callen Griffin tied the game up in the sixth as she hit a grand slam, driving in Alyssa Herlocker, Hallie Davis and Hannah Richter.

However, Tech had a chance to win it in the home half of the seventh. Jessie Lowery led off with a single to the catcher on a quick bunt, then Raegan Sparks reached on a walk. Taylor Thomas advanced on a fielder's choice as EMU threw out Lowery at third. Sydney Love-Baker came in as a pinch runner for Sparks, and the switch paid off as Love-Baker scored on Davis' double down the right field line.

Kayla Hughes picked up the win in relief, throwing the final two frames, yielding just two hits. Taylor Waldrop gave up two earned runs, four total, on seven hits as she walked two and struck out seven.

Hughes took the loss to the host Tigers, allowing five runs on seven hits, walking six and striking out two.

Memphis kept a no-hitter going into the sixth inning, Griffin breaking up the no-no bid with a leadoff single down the right field line. Lowery also got a hit in the inning.

Tech broke up the shutout as Davis homered in the top of the seventh, bouncing one off the scoreboard. Thomas added a single through the right side, but Memphis was able to get out of the inning to end the contest.

Tech (9-17) enters Ohio Valley Conference play next weekend as it travels to Southeast Missouri for a twinbill on Saturday, followed by a pair of games at UT Martin on Sunday.

Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information