By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—With its long journey on the road coming to an end, the Tennessee Tech softball team (14-24, 5-9 OVC) will close out its eight-game road-stand with a 6 p.m. contest versus Western Kentucky (14-19) in Bowling Green, Ky. on Wednesday.
The Hilltoppers (a Conference USA affiliate) hold a 14-19 overall record on the season with a 6-6-conference mark. WKU most recently edged Middle Tennessee 2-to-1 in its last three-game series, and hosts Tech before continuing conference matchups.
Freshman Bryce Holmgren currently leads the Hilltoppers with a .367 batting average. On the season, Holmgren maintains a .422 slugging percentage and has tallied 12 RBIs, one homerun, and two doubles. Jordan Mauch serves as another key WKU player. The sophomore utility player posts a .326 batting average and leads the team with a .587 slugging percentage thus far this year. Mauch leads the team with 22 RBI, and has notched six homeruns and six doubles already this season.
Sophomore pitcher Hannah Parker leads the Hilltoppers in the circle with a 9-11 record on the season and a 3.61 ERA. Over her 130.0 innings pitched, Parker has thrown 13 complete games including three shutouts. On the season, she has tallied 105 strikeouts with only 45 walks.
The Golden Eagles travel to Kentucky after splitting games with Southeast Missouri and UT Martin in weekend doubleheader action. Senior Sabrie Neeb leads Tech with a .278 batting average, posting a .426 slugging percentage on the season. Thus far this year, Neeb has tallied 16 RBI, three homeruns, and seven doubles. Junior Alyssa Richards continues to serve as the Golden Eagle's power hitter from week-to-week. Richards leads the team with a .563 slugging percentage and stands second with a .272 batting average. On the season, she leads the team with 29 RBI and nine homeruns while also notching three doubles.
From the circle, junior southpaw Danielle Liberatore continues to lead Tech picking up right where she left off from her stellar 2015 season. Liberatore maintains a 9-11 record on the year with a 3.74 ERA. Over her 108.2 innings pitched, she has thrown 10 complete games including three shutouts and one save. Liberatore has already surpassed her freshman season strikeouts (143) with 151 on the year and has walked just 54 batters.
You can follow the Golden Eagles online on the TTU Sports Facebook page or on Twitter at @TTU_Softball and @TTUGoldenEagles.
