UPDATE (4/9, 4:00 p.m.) | With the possibility of severe weather on Wednesday, the scheduled game against Kennesaw State has been postponed. A make-up date is being explored, but no details are available at this time. Follow TTUsports.com and the team's social media channels for any updates.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech softball team will be back in action on its home turf for a five-game homestand.
Inclement weather is expected in the Cookeville area the next couple of days. Updates will be available on TTUsports.com and Tech Softball's social media channels when available.
The homestand continues this weekend as Tech hosts UT Martin for a three-game set on Saturday and Sunday, then a midweek game next Wednesday against East Tennessee State.
Tech (16-16) is coming off of a 10-8 win Sunday against Southeast Missouri as Abby Buettner and S.J. Talley both went 2-for-3 with two RBI in the contest. The Golden Eagles last faced Kennesaw State back on March 20 with the host Owls taking a 5-2 victory.
The lead belonged to the Golden Eagles until KSU put a four-spot on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly, a two-run double and an RBI single. The Owls held the Golden Eagles to five hits, two coming from Carmen Betts – who had Tech's lone RBI of the contest. The Golden Eagles stranded eight runners in the contest.
KSU had eight hits, but no batter recorded more than one.
Tech has gone 4-6 since the two teams met, taking two of three at Morehead State, winning a mid-week at East Tennessee State, swept by Lindenwood and won one of three at Southeast Missouri over the weekend.
The Owls, now 10-29 on the season, have been winless since topping the Golden Eagles, going 0-11 since. KSU dropped a three-game set at Eastern Kentucky, lost a midweek to No. 3 Georgia, was swept by Jacksonville, fell in a midweek to Georgia State, then was swept this past weekend at North Florida.
As a team, Kennesaw State is batting .226 with 106 RBI and 55 extra-base hits (34 doubles, six triples and 15 home runs). Kiera Cooper (.214) leads the team with 18 RBI, while Stella Henry (.286) leads the team in average and runs scored (24). She also has a team-best 19 steals on 24 attempts as the Owls have 52 swipes on 62 tries. However, KSU has allowed 67 stolen bases on 76 tries, including two for Tech leader Mac Fitzgerald, who currently ranks third in the nation in stolen bases with 27.
The Owls have a staff ERA of 3.75, walking 96 and striking out 193 with opponents hitting .268. Melanie Bennett (3.12 ERA, 58 Ks) and Kenley Hilleary (3.59 ERA, 54 Ks) each have a team-high three victories in the circle.
Tech, meanwhile, has seen its staff ERA rise to 4.01 on the season with 99 walks and 128 strikeouts. Emily York, while primarily a reliever, leads the team with a 6-2 record and five saves, posting a 2.24 ERA as she has walked 21 and struck out 48. She has 24 appearances in 32 games. Every Golden Eagle pitcher has at least one win this season with Peyton Wagner with five and Lennon Spicer with four.
Offensively, Tech is hitting .295 as a team with 67 extra-base hits – 55 doubles, one triple and 11 home runs – while collecting 142 RBI. Carmen Betts leads the team in average (.398), hits (41), doubles (11), RBI (34) and is tied with Meaghan Houck and Faith Rush with two home runs. Abby Shoulders (.294) and Sydney Kirby (.287) each have 20 RBI. In addition to Fitzgerald (.302) and her prowess on the basepaths, Shoulders also has 17 steals to add to the team total of 72 on 83 tries.
Photo | Jim Dillon
