By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Michelle DePolo era of Tennessee Tech softball will get underway a week from now as the Golden Eagles compete in exhibition action.
Tech will host four Fall Ball dates, starting on Saturday, Sept. 21 as the Golden Eagles entertain Tusculum in a 2 and 4 p.m. doubleheader.
The Pioneers finished 22-20 last season, including an 8-12 finish in the South Atlantic Conference. Tusculum lost top hitter Emily Hester (.368, 32 RBI), but have a great bat in junior Anna Alloway (.321, 29 RBI).
Tusculum also returns two of its top pitchers from last season in junior Ivee Richesin (7-8, 3.77 ERA) and senior Allison Pate (5-5, 5.41 ERA).
The fall slate continues on Wednesday, Oct. 2, as Tech hosts nearby foe Cumberland from nearby Lebanon for a 5:30 p.m. tilt.
The Phoenix ended 2019 with a 26-22 record, 11-15 in the Mid-South Conference. CU returns top batter Tyra Graham, who hit .384 on the year with 24 RBI, 10 doubles and eight home runs. They return just one of their top players in the circle with junior Kayley Caplinger, a local product out of nearby DeKalb County. She finished 2019 with a 10-9 record and a 3.29 ERA, striking out a team-high 70.
That following weekend, on Saturday, Oct. 5, Tech hosts Georgia Highlands for a 12 and 2 p.m. twinbill.
The Golden Eagles close out the fall schedule with a doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12 and 2 p.m., facing Cleveland State Community College.
The Cougars went 25-22 last season, 16-18 in Tennessee Community College Athletic Association play. Cleveland State CC lost its top two hitters – freshman Aubrie Bowman (.353, 42 RBI and 11 HR) and sophomore Auburn Collake (.338, 37 RBI and seven HR) – but have a strong hitter remaining in current sophomore Hannah Turner (.303, 31 RBI and eight HR).
CSCC's top returning pitcher is sophomore Peyton Varela, who went 3-2 last season with a save and a 4.14 ERA.
Tech finished 18-27 a year ago, but return five of its top six hitters, including senior Beth McCulley (.338, one HR, seven RBI), junior Sydney Love-Baker (.279, 28 RBI, 9 HR), sophomore Raleigh Lewis (.265, 23 RBI, six HR), senior Jessie Lowery (.230, eight RBI, one HR) and sophomore Alexis Trimiar (.212, 22 RBI and four HR).
The Golden Eagles also return sophomore ace Alyssa Arden, who was 11-14 in the circle last season with a 2.89 ERA and 119 strikeouts.
All games at the Tech Softball Field are free admission.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
