By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
RICHMOND, Ky. – If the series against Eastern Kentucky wasn't already a big one for Tennessee Tech since it is the last meeting between these two Ohio Valley Conference before the Colonels bolt to the Atlantic Sun Conference, it's also the Golden Eagles' chance to take on the conference leader as they try to make a push for a postseason spot.
First pitch on Sunday in Richmond is scheduled for a 1 p.m. Central time start, the second game to follow approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion. The third game of the series will be held Monday at 1 p.m.
The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required).
In a normal season, the Golden Eagles, with three weekends to go in the regular season – road series at EKU and Belmont before coming home for the finale against UT Martin – would hold a tenuous grasp on the eighth and final spot in the OVC Tournament field with a 12-12 conference mark, 18-21 overall.
However, thanks to changes due to COVID protocols, this season's tournament field will only be the top four teams.
Eastern Kentucky (27-11, 18-5 OVC) currently claims the top spot, but Southeast Missouri, who has led most of the conference season, isn't far off with a 16-5 league mark, 21-14 overall. Austin Peay, winners of its last three games is third at 18-7 in the OVC, 23-9 overall, while Jacksonville State, who split with Tech on Tuesday is in fourth at 15-10 in the league, 17-20 overall.
With nine games remaining in the conference schedule, a late push into the conference tournament is not impossible, but it's going to take some work.
While the Golden Eagles squared off with the Gamecocks earlier this week, the Colonels have been idle since last weekend's series win over Southeast Missouri that propelled them into first place. EKU has, however, won nine of its last 11 games – a loss to SEMO and No. 12 Kentucky withstanding.
As a team, EKU is hitting .269, scoring 191 runs and collecting 180 RBI. The Colonels have 80 extra-base hits out of 191 hits, including 52 doubles, three triples and 35 home runs. With a team that can hit well and hit for power, a high number of strikeouts isn't a surprise though – EKU batters have struck out 230 times, almost 24 percent of the team's total at-bats. The Colonels can also steal bases when needed, swiping 35 of 41 attempts.
Sammi Miller leads the team in average with a .443 mark, while also claiming team bests in runs scored (37), hits (51), doubles (11), triples (3) and total bases (80). Carly Robinson (.333) leads the Colonels in home runs with seven and RBI with 28. Vianna Barron (.270) and Ariyana Miranda (.233) also have more than 20 RBI on the year with 25 and 21 respectively. Jasmine Miller (.347), Mollie Paulick (.348) and Lou Bowers (.316) are also hitting above .300.
Touting the league's No. 3 and No. 4 pitchers respectively in the statistical standings, EKU's battery is pretty stout. Paulick has an unblemished 8-0 record in 16 appearances with a 1.53 ERA. Across 55 innings, she has allowed 12 earned runs – 17 total – on 47 hits, walking 13 batters and striking out 55 as opponents are hitting .224 against her. Tori Peterson is 13-3 on the year in 22 appearances, posting a 2.09 ERA, striking out 52 with opponents hitting .227.
Tech has split its last 10 games, going 5-5. Including the two-game share against JSU, Tech took two of three from SIUE and two of three from Murray State, with a loss to No. 16 Tennessee sandwiched between the two series.
Nicolle Nysted, who made her return after missing nine games to an injury against Austin Peay, leads the team in batting average with a .349 mark, while also claiming a team-best six home runs. Jessie Lowery (.276) and Mackenzie Fitzgerald (.266) lead the team in runs scored with 19 each, while Lowery leads the team in RBI with 20. Fitzgerald has top marks in doubles (8) and stolen bases (16-for-16).
As a team, Tech is hitting .253 with 138 runs scored and 126 RBI. The Golden Eagles have struck out 169 times in 1069 at-bats, roughly 16 percent of their total at-bats.
In the circle for Tech, it'll be the duo of Alyssa Arden and Haeli Bryson. The pair has a combined ERA of 2.98 on the season, with Bryson leading at 2.67 and Arden posting a 3.17, while leading the team in wins (9), appearances (27), complete games (14) and strikeouts (88). Opponents are hitting .217 against Arden, .221 against Bryson.
Photo | Jim Dillon
