By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
OXFORD, Ala. – The hard part is out of the way as the Tennessee Tech softball team advanced past the single-elimination contests on Wednesday and will now see at least two more games as the Golden Eagles will play UT Martin this afternoon at 3 p.m.
Tech took a 3-1 victory over Eastern Illinois in the day's opener. It was a pitchers' duel for the longest time as the two teams went scoreless through the first three frames.
The Golden Eagles broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth as Sydney Dukes went yard with a solo home run.
The lead held until Eastern Illinois tied the game in the top of the sixth as Morgan Lewis hit a line-drive double past third base, driving in Marama Makea.
In the bottom of the sixth, Dukes was walked on four straight pitches, then Carmen Betts reached on an unsuccessful fielder's choice. Haeli Bryson laid down a bunt single down the first base line, loading the bases. Sydney Love-Baker hit a grounder to short with EIU's defense erasing Bryson at second, but the play drove in Dukes.
A fielding error at short off of Penning's grounder allowed Betts to score and make it a 3-1 game.
EIU threatened in the top of the seventh as Lindy Milkowski walked, Megan Burton reached on an errant throw from the catcher to first, then Maddie Swart loaded the bases on a two-out walk. Alyssa Arden threw two quick strikes to Kendall Fields, who then fouled off the next three throws. Arden caught Fields swinging for the final out.
Arden improved to 14-12 on the season, allowing one run on three hits, walking eight and striking out eight. The Panthers (25-30) stranded 13 batters in the contest.
EIU starter Alexa Rehmeier, who earned both victories in the weekend series, took the loss to fall to 12-10. She allowed three runs – two earned – on four hits, walking four and striking out three.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information