By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Four home runs helped propel the Tennessee Tech softball team to a split Saturday afternoon as the Golden Eagles poured on seven runs for a 7-1 victory in the nightcap over Eastern Illinois.

The Panthers used a walk-off double in game one to take a 5-4 victory.

With the split against EIU, Tech's record improves to 15-26, 6-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference as the Golden Eagles try to work its way toward a berth in the postseason tournament in May.

Tech completes the road trip on Sunday as it travels to SIUE for a 1 p.m. start.

In game two, Gabby LaSala got things started in a hurry as she hit a two-run home run, then Taylor Thomas hit an RBI double to left to give Tech a 3-0 lead after the first frame.

Tech added three more runs in the fourth as Bayli Cruse led off with a solo home run to right center. After Thomas was hit by a pitch, pinch runner Beth McCulley came home to score as Hallie Davis blasted a two-run shot to right center.

Kayla Hughes helped her own cause in the sixth inning, hitting a solo homer to center.

Hughes went the distance to collect her fifth win of the season, allowing one unearned run on seven hits and two walks, while striking out three.

LaSala also drove in two of Tech's runs in game one for four RBI on the day. She had an RBI single in the third inning, then a run-scoring double in the seventh. Raegan Sparks drove in a run in the fifth as an error allowed Sydney Love-Baker to score. Cruse also drove in a run in the seventh as Hannah Richter scored on the single to right.

Taylor Waldrop took the loss, her first in OVC play, allowing five runs – just one earned – on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. She walked and struck out one.

Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information