By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
ROCK HILL, S.C. – A long week with eight games came to a close for Tennessee Tech as the Golden Eagles split its action on Sunday. Tech's bats came alive in the day's first game, run-ruling Illinois-Chicago 9-1 in six innings. Host Winthrop closed out the Garnet/Gold Classic with a 3-2 win over Tech.
The Golden Eagles see their record change to 5-7 overall. Up next for Tech is a three-game set at Tennessee State to open Ohio Valley Conference play. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
In the day's opener, freshman Mackenzie Fitzgerald drove in three runs as she went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Sydney Love-Baker drove in two.
Tech plated two in the first inning. Nicolle Nysted reached on an error in left field, the play allowing Love-Baker to score. With Jessie Lowery on third, Paxton Grimes put a single into right to drive in Lowery, but was thrown out at second 2-6 after a throw home.
The Golden Eagles added three runs in the second. Fitzgerald hit an RBI double to right center, sending Shelby Penning home, then a two-run error in center field off Love-Baker's bat allowed Chandler Caldwell and Fitzgerald to score.
In the third, Fitzgerald put down another double to right center – this time a two-run two-bagger – as Carmen Betts and Penning scored.
After the Flames scored a run, Tech added some insurance in the sixth. Alexis Trimiar reached on a fielder's choice as UIC caught Brooklin Richardson at second, but the play allowed Lowery to score. Betts then hit an RNI single, driving in Haeli Bryson.
Alyssa Arden claimed the win, allowing one run on three hits as she walked two and struck out one.
In game two, Nystead drove in both Tech runs as she went 2-for-3, while Fitzgerald was 2-for-4.
Tech scored a single run in the top of the first as Nysted hit an RBI single to left center to drive in Fitzgerald. Winthrop responded with a two-run home run, then added a third run in the bottom of the second with a leadoff home run.
Nysted led the Tech sixth off with a solo home run of her own.
Arden took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits, while walking three and striking out six.
