By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team honored its three seniors on Sunday as the Golden Eagles completed the home portion of its schedule.
But the celebration was bittersweet as Morehead State completed the sweep, winning 2-1 and 7-3.
Tech (16-31, 7-13) has just one series remaining as it travels to Jacksonville State on Friday for a doubleheader.
Facing off against a possible OVC Pitcher of the Year candidate in Chelsea McManaway, Tech's Taylor Waldrop kept it a pitcher's duel, allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out three.
Sydney Love-Baker drove in Tech's lone run with a double to score Callen Griffin.
Allison Rager, however, provided the go-ahead run in the sixth as she drove in Ellen Barrett with a single up the middle.
It was all McManaway needed, as she allowed one run on four hits, walking one and striking out 12, improving to 16-7 on the season.
In the second game, Tech picked up two runs in the bottom of the first as Raegan Sparks had an RBI single to drive in Jessie Lowery, then Gabby LaSala used a sacrifice grounder to send Love-Baker home for a run.
Morehead State answered with two runs in the second, one run in the third, then two more in the fourth before the Golden Eagles answered again with Ashley McGowan scoring Hallie Davis on a single to short.
MSU (26-16, 7-9 OVC) answered with two insurance runs in the seventh.
Kayla Hughes took the loss, allowing seven runs – four earned – on 10 hits, walking one and striking out four.
Rager allowed three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three. McManaway pitched the final inning and a third to earn a save, walking two and striking out three as she held Tech hitless.
Tech, with the losses, fell to ninth in the OVC standings, trailing Morehead State for the eighth and final spot. MSU has four more games than Tech remaining, including a Tuesday doubleheader against Murray State, a Friday series at Eastern Illinois and a Saturday twinbill at SIUE.
The Golden Eagles did, however, get to close out the home careers of seniors Bayli Cruse, Griffin and Waldrop on Sunday, honoring them between games as their teammates presented them with keepsakes.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information