OVC Softball Championship notes
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
OXFORD, Ala. – With just three days removed from a 16-15 extra-inning loss and a 10-4 defeat to Eastern Illinois to close out the regular season, then have to regroup and play the team again to open the Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championship at Choccolocco Park, there's no doubt it's a strange feeling.
There is the lingering concern after the previous two meetings, of course, but there's also a familiarity about it. With fresh eyes on the pitching and defense last seen, things can always be different the next time around.
Either way, the OVC tournament is familiar ground for the Golden Eagles. After all, tied with former member Jacksonville State, Tech has won the most OVC tournament crowns with seven. The Golden Eagles are 56-34 all-time in the event and have an 8-2 record against the Panthers in postseason play.
It is, however, hard to believe that it is the Golden Eagles' first trip back to Choccolocco Park since 2017. In the 28 times the OVC Softball Championships have been held, Tech has been there for 24 of them, missing in 2011, then from 2018 on. Of course, there was no tournament in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, then the 2021 field consisted of only the top four teams.
The biggest obstacle, however, is the Golden Eagles have to earn the victory right out of the gate or their season is done. The first two games in the schedule are single-elimination games. You win the first game and you advance into the double-elimination pool. You lose and it's 'see you in the fall.'
Sunday's contests were tough for the Golden Eagles. After taking a 12-0 lead on the Panthers through Tech's first two at-bats, Eastern Illinois surged back. In the seventh inning, leading 15-9, the Golden Eagles only needed one more out to close out the contest. Instead, they saw EIU tie the game on a grand slam from Lindy Milkowski and a solo home run from Riley Dittmar to send the game to the eighth inning. A Jaylen Prichard RBI single ended the game on a walkoff in extras.
Tech had six home runs in the defeat.
After Eastern Illinois surged to a 4-1 lead after one inning in game two, Tech rallied to tie the game at 4-all, but the Panthers scored six unanswered runs.
Milkowski, the OVC's Player of the Week on Tuesday, went 5-for-8 in the series, driving in eight runs with three doubles and the grand slam – her third of the season – to give her the EIU lead in RBI with 46.
The challenge will be to put those games in the rearview mirror and get back to work. After building a few winning streaks over the course of the season, Tech has won just five of its last 14 games and look to break the slide as it searches for its eighth OVC tournament crown.
Perhaps history could repeat itself. In 2012, after breaking its first OVC tournament drought, the Golden Eagles entered the field as the No. 6-seed -- same as 2022 -- and knocked off No. 3 Jacksonville State 2-1 and No. 2 Eastern Illinois 5-3. After falling to top-seed and tournament host UT Martin 6-2, Tech climbed its way up the consolation bracket, toppling No. 4 Murray State 5-3, then forced the tournament if-necessary game with a 3-1 victory over the Skyhawks. UTM emerged victorious, but the Golden Eagles have had its share of exciting moments in the OVC tournament.
The opener against Eastern Illinois is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start from Choccolocco Park. Dylan Vazzano will have the call on 106.1 The Eagle and online on TTUsports.com. Alex Gould, Graham Doty and Donna Conrad will handle the broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).
If Tech wins, the Golden Eagles will advance to a 3 p.m. contest against UT Martin.
Photo | Jim Dillon