By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Tennessee Tech got off to a quick start, then Alyssa Arden held off the Maine Black Bears on Saturday as the Golden Eagles won their third straight game, topping Maine 3-1 at the Wings Etc. Classic at USC Upstate.
Arden, improving to 5-1 on the season, went the distance, allowing one run on six hits, while walking four and striking out nine.
Her counterpart, Caitlyn Fallon, took her first loss, allowing two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out one in three innings of work. Kyleigh O'Donnell came on in relief, allowing one run on one hit and striking out four.
With two down in the bottom of the first, Haeli Bryson walked on four straight pitches, then Raleigh Lewis reached on an error at short. Nicolle Nysted drilled a ball into center field, picking up her 10th RBI of the young season on the single.
Tech added its second run in the next frame as Jessie Lowery drove in KaDedra Temple with a single up the middle.
Maine cut the Golden Eagle lead in half in the third with an RBI double, but Tech took that run back in the bottom of the fifth as Lewis hit her fifth home run of the season with a drive to left center, just two behind NCAA leaders Ciara Bryan (Georgia) and Bailey Vannoy (Charlotte).
The Golden Eagles return to action on Sunday as they close out the Wings Etc. Classic with a contest against Virginia at 10 a.m. Central, followed by a game against tournament host USC Upstate at 2 p.m. Central.
