By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A first-inning home run was all the Tennessee Tech softball team needed for a victory in the first game, but the Golden Eagles were held to just three hits in the second game as Tech split its doubleheader with East Tennessee State on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles (10-9) won the first game 2-0, then fell 1-0 in the second contest.
In game one, Sydney Love-Baker hit a solo home run in the first inning, then Tech added a second run in the fourth inning as Chandler Caldwell scored on Alexis Trimiar's single to right.
ETSU (13-10-2) forced Tech started Alyssa Arden into a couple of jams, but the freshman hurler worked out of them. In the second, Arden walked the first two batters, then struck out three in a row to get out of the inning. Arden went all seven innings to improve to 6-3 as she allowed three hits and four walks while striking out nine.
In the second game, Tech's offense was all Beth McCulley as she collected all three of the Golden Eagles' hits in the game.
ETSU scored the lone run of the game as Nikki Grupp doubled to left, driving in Lauren Lee.
The Golden Eagles, however, could not find an answer for Kelly Schmidt. The ETSU pitcher worked all seven, allowing three hits and walking none as she struck out two.
Haeli Bryson (2-4) was saddled with the loss, allowing one run on nine hits, walking two and striking out four. Tech's defense stranded 10 Buccaneer base runners in the contest.
Tech returns to action on Tuesday as it travels to Birmingham for a two-game set, starting at 3 p.m.
Photo by Jim Dillon