By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—After a quick stint on the road, the Tennessee Tech softball team, (19-29, 10-11 OVC) has returned home to host a three-game series versus conference-opponent Morehead State (23-22, 10-9 OVC) on Saturday-Sunday. The Golden Eagles and Eagles will kick-off the series on Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and then close play on Sunday with a rubber game at 1 p.m.

Sophomore Robyn Leighton currently leads Morehead State with a .383 batting average, which also ranks her third amongst players in the OVC. On the season, Leighton has notched 20 RBI, six homeruns, two triples, and seven doubles. Another key player at the dish for the Eagles is junior Karly Thompson. Thompson leads Morehed in RBIs, tallying 28 on the season, while also holding the second best batting average on the squad (.300). Thus far this year, Thompson has accumulated eight homeruns and 10 doubles.

Freshman Allison Rager is leading the way in the circle for the Eagles. Rager was most recently named the OVC Pitcher of the Week on Apr. 25 after throwing two shutouts versus UT Martin and Southeast Missouri. On the season, Rager boasts a 12-5 record from the circle, while leading Morehead with a 2.79 ERA. Over her 108.0 innings pitched, Rager has thrown eight complete games, including four shutouts. She has retired 57 batters at the plate, while walking 41.

Also likely to see action in the circle this weekend for the Eagles is sophomore Mackenzie Grossman. The 5-10 right-handed pitcher holds an 8-14 record on the season with a 3.16 ERA. Grossman has seen action over 135.0 innings and thrown 10 complete games including two shutouts, while striking out 105 batters and walking 85.

Senior Sabrie Neeb is leading the way for Tech this season with a .305 batting average. Neeb maintains the second best slugging percentage on the squad (.482) and has accumulated 23 RBI, five homeruns, one triple, and eight doubles on the year. Power at the plate consistently comes from junior Alyssa Richards. The Italy, Texas native leads the Golden Eagles with a .523 slugging percentage while posting a .258 batting average on the year. Richards also leads Tech in RBIs (31) homeruns (10); tying the totals she accumulated by the end of the 2015 season.

Danielle Liberatore continues to lead the Golden Eagles from the circle with a 12-12 record on the year and a .328 ERA. Over her 134.1 innings pitched, the junior southpaw has thrown 13 complete games, including four shutouts, while also notching two saves on the season. Her 186 strikeouts rank her second in the OVC and 19th in the NCAA, while her strikeouts per seven innings (9.7) rank her 11th nationally.

Tech currently leads the series over Morehead State 63-33. The Eagles last saw victory in the 2015 season defeating the Golden Eagles, 5-3, on their home turf; however, Tech came out on top in the series defeating Morehead State two games to one. 

You can follow the Golden Eagles online on the TTU Sports Facebook page or on Twitter at @TTU_Softball and @TTUGoldenEagles.