By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
MACON, Ga. – Tristen Head went 2-for-2 at the plate and drove in both runs for the Tennessee Tech softball team on Sunday as the Golden Eagles closed out the Mercer Bear Invitational with a 10-2 loss to South Carolina in six innings.
Tech scored its two runs in the fifth inning as Jordan Key hit a two-out double to right center, then Brooklyn Stewart roped a single up the middle, sending Key's pinch-runner, Brooklin Richardson, to third. Head came through with a single to left, bringing in Richardson, while a throwing error by the left fielder allowed Stewart to score, cutting the Gamecocks' lead to 8-2.
South Carolina scored four runs in the bottom of the first as the Gamecocks collected four hits with two singles and two doubles. They added a runs in the second and third on home runs, then a throwing error and a single brought two more runs in during the third.
The Gamecocks added runs in each of the fifth and sixth on RBI singles, the latter forcing the run rule.
Callie Piper was charged with the loss, allowing four runs on five hits in the opening frame, while Avery Flatford threw the next two innings, walking two and striking out one as she allowed four runs – two earned – on four hits. Gracelyn Woollen threw the final two and two-thirds with a walk and allowing two runs on four hits.
The Golden Eagles (1-10) will return to action next week as they travel to the Jane B. Moore Memorial Tournament at Auburn. There, Tech will face Bowling Green and South Alabama for two games and see the host Tigers once in the field.
