By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – With the Tennessee Tech softball team in reach in the sixth inning, the Lindenwood Lions broke away for five runs in the bottom of the frame, earning the weekend sweep with a 10-4 victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles (3-26, 0-6 Ohio Valley Conference) return to non-conference action on Wednesday as Tech hosts Bellarmine in a single contest, starting at 3 p.m.
Tech collected hits in the contest, pulling together 11. Haeli Bryson led the Golden Eagles as she was 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and two RBI. Jordan Key also had a multiple-hit game as she went 2-for-3.
Five Lindenwood players had multiple-hit games, led by Lauren Pelton with a 2-for-4 effort with three RBI. Jolie McMinn also drove in two in her lone pinch-hit appearance.
Kaylan Cole threw the first inning, allowing three runs on four hits, as she walked one and struck out one. Gracelyn Woollen came on in relief in the second inning, allowing seven runs – six earned – on 10 hits, walking four and striking out one.
Bryson got the Golden Eagles on the board first with a two-run double in the top of the first, driving in Jordynn Shirley and Abby Shoulders on the play. Lindenwood countered with a two-run single from Pelton, then took the lead in the bottom of the second after Theresa Snaidauf scored after reaching on a Cole walk to end her day and came across on an Irelynn West grounder to short.
Pelton had another RBI with a single in the fourth inning, then the Lions collected another one as Chloe Honchar was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Makayli Harris drove in Tech's third run in the sixth inning as her single to second base allowed Savannah Talley to score. Harris attempted to steal second on a double-steal with Jordan Key at third. The Lions' defense caught Harris at second, while Key crossed the plate to make it a 5-4 Lindenwood lead.
The Lions struck for five runs in the bottom of the sixth as Darnell, Honchar and Kinser had singles, then McMinn cleared the bases ahead of her with a two-run triple.
Tech threatened in the top of the seventh as Bryson doubled to left, then Nicolle Nysted drew a walk to put two on, but Lindenwood was able to retire the side to end the contest.
