COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - A three-run homerun, a walk-off home run, and a three-hit shutout were just a few of the headlines from Tennessee Tech's softball doubleheader Sunday. The Golden Eagles hosted Southeast Missouri in Ohio Valley Conference action, sweeping the Redhawks with 9-1 and 4-0 wins.
The Golden Eagles combined for 16 hits and freshman Olivia Bennett collected a team-high four hits, including a three-run walk-off home run to win game one. Bennett wasn't the only power hitter for the Purple and Gold as sophomore Angi Sakamoto blasted a three-run dinger of her own. She hit an outstanding .667 with a 1.667 slugging percentage.
In the opening end of Sunday's doubleheader, the Golden Eagles grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second inning off of Sakamoto's three-run shot. Tech grabbed another big inning in the fourth, scoring twice off of a single by shortstop Hannah Eldridge. Eldridge drove in Chelsea Burgess, who reached on a double, and Sakamoto, who drew a walk.
Bennett scored a run in the fifth, but the freshman's big inning came in the bottom of the sixth when she hammered the three-run homer over the right field fence.
Tech's momentum carried right into the second game, as Golden Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the first and stretched the lead to 4-0 in the second. Christian earned the first run after singling and stealing her 14th base of the season. Eldridge sent Chrstian home on a single up the middle. Cortney Fry, Burgess, and Sakamoto all scored thanks to Redhawk errors.
Claudia Harke (3-4) got the win, giving up just three hits. She also tied her career-high with five strikeouts in the contest. Taylor Ketchum (11-7) took the win in the first game. Both pitchers threw complete games.
The Golden Eagles return to action on the road Tuesday as they travel to Knoxville to take on the Lady Vols of Tennessee. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
