By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—After a long stand on the road, the Tennessee Tech softball team (14-25, 5-9 OVC) returns home to host OVC in-state rival Tennessee State (9-32, 2-12 OVC).
The Tigers travel to Cookeville after splitting games in a doubleheader with Austin Peay. Courtney Geralds and Lauren Dreitlein currently lead TSU each with a .333 batting average. Senior Dreitlein also leads the Tigers with a .476 slugging percentage, notching 11 RBI, 2 homeruns, and six doubles on the season. Geralds maintains a .429 slugging percentage on the season with 14 RBI, three triples, and four doubles.
Junior Lauren Woodard leads the Tigers from the circle with a 5.95 ERA. Woodard is currently 3-18 on the season pitching 107.0 innings including six complete games and one shutout. So far this year, she has accumulated 27 strikeouts and 38 walks. Another key pitcher on the TSU team is freshman Lauren Powell. Powell has thrown 71.1 innings and posts a 7.16 ERA. She currently maintains a 4-9 record on the year pitching two complete games and striking out 38 while walking 48.
The Golden Eagles return home after facing Western Kentucky in a midweek contest, where the Hilltoppers defeated Tech 5-3. Gabby Perez currently leads the Golden Eagles with a .275 batting average. On the season, Perez has tallied a .275 slugging percentage, two RBI and five stolen bases off of eight attempts. Alyssa Richards continues to provide power to the Tech lineup. Richards maintains a .264 batting average on the season, while leading the Golden Eagles with a .547 slugging percentage. Thus far, she has notched 29 RBI, nine homeruns, and three doubles.
Continuing to lead Tech in the circle is junior southpaw Danielle Liberatore. Liberatore posts a 3.74 ERA on the season (2.22 in conference games) with a 9-11 record, and a 4-4 mark in conference games. Overall, she has thrown 108.2 innings including 10 complete games, three shutouts, and one save. So far this year, Liberatore has compiled 151 strikeouts with just 54 walks.
Another key Tech pitcher in the circle is senior Hannah Weaver. Weaver holds a 2-6 record on the season with a 5.25 ERA. This year, she has thrown 66.2 innings including three complete games and one shutout. Weaver has totaled 16 strikeouts on the season while walking 33.
The Golden Eagles lead the series over the Tigers 58-12. Tech also saw victory last, defeating TSU in the series two games to one in the 2015 season.
You can follow the Golden Eagles online on the TTU Sports Facebook page or on Twitter @TTU_Softball and @TTUGoldenEagles.
