By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
FLORENCE, Ala. – On the day, North Alabama only collected two hits off of Tennessee Tech starter Alyssa Arden. But the homestanding Lions still found ways to collect runs when they needed it as UNA defeated the Golden Eagles 4-3 on Tuesday, scoring the game-winning run in the fifth inning.
Tech (8-11) return to action on Saturday as it travels to Morehead State for the first of three Ohio Valley Conference matchups.
Arden went the distance in the game, allowing three earned runs on two hits, while striking out four. However, the strike zone wasn't her friend on Tuesday, giving up six walks in the contest.
North Alabama struck first in the home half of the opening inning. Lexie Walker led off with a walk, stole second, then Sidney Bevis advanced her on a bunt single. The duo put the first run on the board as they executed a double steal, Harper swiping home plate. A sacrifice bunt moved Bevis to third, then she scored on a fly ball to Sydney Love-Baker in foul territory.
The Golden Eagles tied the game in the third. Carmen Betts led off with a double to center field, then, with two down, Jessie Lowery hit her second homer of the season and in as many games as she sent one over the center field wall.
The Lions retook a 3-2 lead as an Emma Latham sacrifice fly allowed Harper to score. UNA tempted fate on the play though as Bevis kept running after touching third, but was caught at the plate in a 7-3-2 relay, Lowery to Haeli Bryson to Nicolle Nysted for the out.
Tech tied the game in the fourth as Carmen Betts singled up the middle with two down, driving in Alexis Trimiar from second.
UNA scored the game-winning run in the fifth. Madi Nunez led off with a double, then as Harper grounded out to short, Nunez took off running for third. A throwing error to try to catch her there gave her room to score.
Starter Maci Birdyshaw went three frames, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out five along the way. Olivia DePew threw the next inning, allowing one run on three hits with a strikeout. Laken Distefano, who collected her first win of the season, worked the final three innings, allowing a walk and a hit over the span.
Love-Baker, Bryson and Betts led the Golden Eagles at the plate, all three collecting two hits each.