By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech knocked the ball out of the park at Betty Basler Field on Wednesday as the Golden Eagles used three home runs to surge to a 7-2 victory over East Tennessee State.
Carmen Betts, Abby Buettner and Sydney Kirby all went yard in the contest, with Buettner going 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI and Kirby going 2-for-3 and driving in two.
Payton Wagner was credited with the win to improve to 5-2 on the season as she pitched two innings, scattering two hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Starter Faith Rush threw the first two innings, allowing one run on three hits with one walk. Emily York collected her fifth save as she tossed the final inning and a third, giving up one hit and striking out one.
The Bucs (5-19) collected two more hits than the Golden Eagles in the contest, but Tech's defense stood strong, stranding 10 ETSU baserunners.
Tech scored three runs in the top of the first as Buettner hit a single down the left field line to drive in Mac Fitzgerald and Abby Shoulders, then Kirby drove in the third run as her single to right center gave Betts room to score.
After the Bucs collected a run in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly, the Golden Eagles extended their lead to 5-1 in the top of the third as Betts led off with a home run to left center, then, two batters later, Kirby went the opposite way for a dinger.
Tech added an insurance run in the top of the sixth as Abbee Klinefelter scored from third on a wild pitch. ETSU scored its second run in the bottom half of the inning on a bases-loaded walk, then Buettner got the run back as she hit a home run to left field.
York coaxed a fly out to left and a pop-up to third before yielding a double to right. The runner went nowhere as York got a pop-up to Ella Bishop at short to end the contest.
Tech (15-11, 6-3 Ohio Valley Conference) returns to action on Friday as the Golden Eagles host Lindenwood for the first two games, starting at 12 p.m. All games at Tech Softball Field are free to the public. The games will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano on the call.
Photo | Jim Dillon, file
