By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
MACON, Ga. – Three home runs in the fifth inning on Sunday helped propel the Tennessee Tech softball team to a 7-1 victory over Wright State to close out the Mercer Invitational.
With the win, the Golden Eagles (4-1) win their fourth straight game and put together the best five-game start since the team went 5-0 en route to a 15-0 start in the 1997 campaign.
Freshman Nicolle Nysted led Tech at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Her three-run blast came in the fifth after Raleigh Lewis hit her fourth home run of the weekend with a solo shot to right. After Nysted's round-tripper, junior transfer Shelby Penning knocked out her first Tech career dinger with one to left center.
The outburst came an inning after the Golden Eagles took their first lead of the contest. Trailing 1-0 through three frames, Paxton Grimes took a walk, then Nysted was hit by a pitch. Raegan Sparks came on as a pinch hitter and drove in Grimes with a single to right. Nysted later scored on a wild pitch.
Haeli Bryson (2-1) picked up her second straight win after a victory Saturday against Dayton. Against the Raiders, Bryson allowed one run on seven hits, yielding one walk and recording a personal-best five strikeouts.
Her counterpart, Olivia Otani, took the loss in relief, allowing seven runs on five hits, walking two and striking out none. Starting pitcher Makenna Duriex went three full scoreless frames, walking none and striking out two. Carly Turner pitched the final 2 1/3, yielding three hits and striking out three.
Tech returns to action on Friday as it travels to the Chattanooga Challenge. The first opponent is Indiana State with first pitch slated for 10 a.m. Central.
Photo | Alex Keller, Mercer Athletics
