By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
UPDATE: 7:24 p.m. 2/11 -- With a change in scheduling and the addition of Alabama to the tournament field, the games this weekend have changed. Here is Tech's revised schedule for the tournament as of now:
2/12 | TTU vs. North Alabama | Noon
2/13 | TTU vs. Western Carolina | 2 p.m.
2/13 | TTU vs. Alabama State | 7 p.m.
2/14 | TTU vs. Western Carolina | 11:30 a.m.
2/14 | TTU vs. North Alabama | 2 p.m.
Schedule is subject to change with potential inclement weather in the forecast.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – To say the Tennessee Tech softball team has been waiting a long time for the next game is an understatement. When the Golden Eagles take to the field Friday in the Alabama State Stinger Classic, it will be 11 months and three days since the Tech squad last took to the diamond.
Since then and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been a state of wondering what could have been – Tech had one of its better pre-conference schedule stretches in tournament play, coming away with a 10-9 record. Even though the Golden Eagles hadn't reached Ohio Valley Conference play last season before everything came to a halt, Tech looked primed to make a run for the league crown.
Fast forward to nearly a year later, and the Golden Eagles are ready to get back on the field. A vast majority of the team's offensive and defensive unit return and now look to take the opportunity to prove just what they can do.
Everything starts for Tech at 10 a.m. on Friday as Tech opens the 2021 campaign against Western Carolina, then follows it up with a contest against North Alabama at 12:30 p.m.
The Golden Eagles then take on Western Carolina again on Saturday at 2 p.m., before facing host Alabama State that night at 7 p.m. Tech wraps up its play in the event on Sunday as it takes on Notre Dame on Sunday at 9 a.m.
Weather in Montgomery is calling for potential rain and showers this weekend, so the schedule is subject to change and updates will be passed along Tech Softball's social media channels when available.
Western Carolina finished 3-13 last season, but the Catamounts fielded a pretty young team. They still do with 13 sophomores and freshmen among its roster. WCU does return its top two pitchers from a year ago in senior Kayla Brewer and sophomore Savannah Rice. Brewer posted a 3.36 ERA in nine appearances over 16 2/3 innings of work, walking nine and striking out eight. Rice had a 9-6 record with a 3.83 ERA in a team-high 38 1/3 innings, walking 15 and striking out 15.
Tech has a 1-1 record all-time against Western Carolina, falling 3-1 on Feb. 11, 2006, in Atlanta, then taking an 11-0 win on March 5, 2010, in Woodstock, Ga.
North Alabama finished last season with a 16-7 record and return a lot of offensive firepower, including senior Harley Stokes, who recorded 22 RBI and five home runs last year. She batted .313 on the season with six doubles and a triple to her credit.
The Lions also return two sub-2.0 ERA pitchers in Maci Birdyshaw and Megan Garst. Birdyshaw had a 1.59 ERA and a 5-1 record in seven appearances, walking seven and striking out 30. Garst had a 6-4 record and a 1.70 ERA with six complete games and four shutouts to go with 82 strikeouts and 15 walks.
Tech is 4-1 against North Alabama all-time, taking a pair of wins in their last meeting on March 5, 2019, 28 years after their previous three meetings in 1987.
Last season, Alabama State finished 10-15, but the Hornets lost two of their top three run producers from 2020. However, Kaley Anthony was the top producer last season, driving in 17 runs and collecting 38 total bases to go with her .347 average. The Hornets do return their top two pitchers in Alexa Veamoi (4-2, 3.28 ERA) and Skyler Sullivan (4-1, 3.36 ERA).
Tech is 2-0 against Alabama State all-time, beating the Hornets 2-1 in the last meeting in Montgomery on March 2, 2019, while also claiming a 7-0 victory on Feb. 20, 2010, in Kennesaw, Ga.
The Golden Eagles close out the tournament with a contest against Notre Dame and the Fighting Irish return their top hitter from a year ago in senior Abby Sweet. She hit .368 to lead Notre Dame to a 13-9 record, driving in 21 runs and scoring 18. Graduate student Katie Marino led the team in home runs with five as she also drove in 14 runs. Senior pitcher Alexis Holloway recorded an 8-6 record last season with a 1.09 ERA. She walked 30 and struck out 72 with opponents hitting .196 against her.
Tech has faced Notre Dame twice in program history, both times in Auburn, Ala., although in different seasons. The Fighting Irish won 6-5 on Feb. 17, 2007, and 9-1 in six innings on Feb. 8, 2014.
Jessie Lowery led Tech with a .349 batting average last season, driving in 10 runs and scoring 11 runs. Sydney Love-Baker (.317) scored a team-high 24 runs and drove in 10 RBI with five home runs, while Raleigh Lewis (.327) also hit five dingers and drove in 14. Nicolle Nysted made a terrific freshman debut, collecting 12 RBI.
In the circle, Alyssa Arden collected a 7-3 record with a 4.12 ERA, striking out 69 and walking 34 across 66 1/3 innings of work. Haeli Bryson also had three wins for the Golden Eagles, as she walked 10 and struck out 23.
