STATESBORO, Ga -- The Tennessee Tech softball team picked up its second win of the season Sunday in a redemption game against Akron University, posting a 3-1 victory behind Taylor Ketchum's one-hitter. The Purple and Gold wrapped up play against defending Southern Conference champion Georgia Southern, falling to the Eagles, 1-0.
In Tech's first meeting against the Zips Saturday, the Golden Eagles went through three pitchers and yielded 11 hits in a 9-2 loss before Taylor Ketchum took the circle and closed out the game with 11 strikes in her 16 pitches. Ketchum carried that momentum into Sunday's contest, pitching all seven innings and facing just 28 batters while allowing one hit and one run to earn the win. Ketchum finished the weekend with a 2-0 record.
The Golden Eagles made two errors in the top of the fourth inning, allowing Akron to score an unearned run, but responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Chanelle Spalding singled to the left side and advanced to third on a double by Chelsea Burgess before Madison Taylor drove home both runners with a single up the middle. Ketchum held the Zips hitless after the fourth, allowing just two batters to reach first base on a walk and fielder's choice.
Tech sealed the win in the bottom of the fifth inning as Chanelle Spalding sent one deep into centerfield, the sacrifice scoring Melody Christian with Tech's third run.
Winning two games in a row gave Tech a positive swing as it took on defending SoCon champions and host Georgia Southern. The Golden Eagles were able to fend off a tough Eagle offense, with a solid outing from Erica Tuck in the circle. Georgia Southern's Kourtny Thomas hit a solo home run down the left line for the only run of the game, one of only four hits allowed by Tuck in the tough-luck loss.
The Golden Eagles hit the road again Saturday as they return to the field at KSU Classic hosted by Kennesaw State. The Golden Eagles will face Liberty and Mercer Friday and wrap up play Sunday against Ball State and host Kennesaw State.
