By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – In game one, Tennessee Tech was the one putting runs on the board. In game two, Eastern Illinois answered in kind and more so. But as Friday came to a close, the Golden Eagles and the Panthers played to a split, Tech winning game one 6-4, Eastern Illinois the victor in the night cap 10-4.
The rubber game of the series is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday morning, but inclement weather is in the forecast. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).
Alyssa Arden went the distance in the opener, collecting the complete-game victory. She finished the game just two strikeouts shy of tying her career high, striking out nine Panther batters in the win. She allowed four runs – only one earned – on four hits, while walking six. The effort gave Arden her seventh win of the year.
Tech jumped on EIU starter Jade Montgomery, who yielded three earned runs, four total, on nine hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Sydney Cammon, in the next two frames, allowed two unearned runs on three hits.
Nicolle Nysted drove in the first run with a single up the middle in the first inning, driving in Haeli Bryson. In the second, Sydney Love-Baker came home to score on a Mackenzie Fitzgerald liner to center field.
Carmen Betts drove in Nysted in the third with an RBI single to left, then EIU put its first run on the board as Morgan Lewis had an RBI single to center field to score Megan Burton. Tech got the run back in the fourth as Beth McCulley reached on a fielder's choice as the Panthers erased Nysted at second on a 6-4 play, but the grounder allowed Jessie Lowery to score from third.
Tech posted its final two runs of the contest in the fifth as Love-Baker scored on Fitzgerald's single to left, then Shelby Penning came home to score on a Lowery grounder.
As Arden's pitch count escalated, the Panthers started to mount a comeback. Katie Nicholson reached on a one-out bunt single. After a flyout to left, Haley Mitchell reached on an error in right field, but it was enough to bring Nicholson home to score. Burton followed it up with a two-run homer to right center.
In game two, Eastern Illinois wasted no time. With one down, Nicholson hit a triple to left center, the Burton hit a two-run home run. The Panthers added another run in the second as Davis led off with a solo home run. Tech put two runs on the board in the bottom of the second as Amanda Phy scored on a throwing error, then Love-Baker had an RBI single down the left field line to bring home McCulley.
The Panthers got the runs back in the third as Nicholson led off with a bunt single, stole second, then Mitchell hit a two-run home run to right center. EIU extended its lead in the fourth as Amber Cieplinski led off with a solo home run, then again in the fifth as a Davis grounder drove in Burton.
Tech scored its final two runs of the game in the fifth as Paxton Grimes drove in Chandler Caldwell with a single to center field, then Love-Baker put a double through the left side of the infield to bring home Betts.
EIU put three runs across in the seventh as Mitchell had an RBI single, then McKinlee Miller and Andrea Sampson scoring on errors.
The Panthers were able to harass the Golden Eagle defense as they stole 10 bases in the win, including two for Burton, Abby Taylor and Miller.
Olivia Price worked five frames en route to the win, allowing four runs – two unearned – on eight hits, walking two. Montgomery came on and pitched the final two innings in relief, allowing one hit.
Bryson took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits in one inning of work. Kendall Durard pitched the next three frames, allowing three runs on three hits, walking three and striking out two. Arden came in, throwing two innings, allowing four runs – two earned – on two hits, walking three and striking out one. Callie Piper closed out the game with an inning in the circle, striking out one.
