By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech came back in dramatic fashion to take game one against SIUE on Sunday, but couldn't work the same magic in the second game as the two teams split the doubleheader at the Tech Softball Field.
Tech won the first game 7-3, while the Cougars took game two 10-3.
The Golden Eagles evened their season record at 15-15 overall, while moving to 5-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference race, a tie for sixth with UT Martin while two games back from conference leader Jacksonville State (7-1).
The pitchers' duel between Tech's Alyssa Arden and SIUE's Emily Ingles in the opener saw a scoreless pair of innings to start, but it was the Cougars who struck first with a pair of runs in the third inning on a two-run homer to Zoe Schaefer, then a single run in the fourth on a Sydney Bina single to short to drive in pinch-runner Janie Smith.
With the three-run deficit, the Tech offense came together to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a five-spot in the inning. Gabby LaSala reached on an error, then Hallie Davis drew a walk, but they all came home on a three-run home run for Alexis Trimiar, tying the game.
Trimiar finished the game going 2-for-3.
Tech wasn't done yet. Ashley McGowan took a walk, then pinch-runner Chandler Caldwell swiped second, followed by a walk to Leigh Ellen Thomas. Beth McCulley then put a double down into left center, allowing Caldwell and Thomas to score, giving Tech a 5-3 lead.
The Golden Eagles added some insurance in the bottom of the fifth as Hallie Davis added a two-run homer to left field, bringing along LaSala on the round-tripper.
Arden earned the win, going all seven innings in the complete-game effort, allowing three runs on eight hits, while walking three and striking out eight.
Ingles allowed five runs – four earned – on four hits in 3 1/3 innings, allowing four walks and striking out five, while Corrina Rivas pitched an inning and a third, allowing two runs on two hits with a walk and three strikeouts, and Bianca Vozenilek closed out the contest with zeroes across her inning and a third.
In game two, all three of Tech's runs scored on a single play in the bottom of the fifth as Sydney Love-Baker hit a fly ball to right field with the bases loaded, but it dropped out of the glove of the outfielder, allowing Trimiar, Caldwell and Thomas to score.
Tech collected six hits as Jessie Lowery went 3-for-3, while Love-Baker, Trimiar and McGowan also picked up safeties in the contest.
Kayla Hughes was tagged for one run in the top of the first as Alyssa Heren drove in a run on a single up the middle and things stayed under control until the top of the fourth. SIUE batted around as it collected five runs on three hits and an error – the Cougars collected an RBI double, a two-run single and two scored on a dropped fly ball.
Hughes went 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs – four earned – on five hits as she walked four and struck out one. Haeli Bryson came on in relief, throwing the final 3 1/3, allowing four runs – one earned – on four hits as she struck out two and walked none.
SIUE scored four runs in the top of the seventh as Schafer led off with a homer, Lane scored on an error, Abby Marlow drove in Sammie Ofoia with a double, then Marlow came home to score on a wild pitch.
Rivas went the distance in the contest, allowing three unearned runs on six hits, walking two and striking out five.
Tech returns to action on Friday as it travels to Murray State in its lone doubleheader of the week.